For all of you that don’t know me, my name is John Kriesel and I am a 25 year old National Guardsman. I am a husband and a father. Since September 2003 I have been on an active duty assignment all but 54 weeks. My first deployment was to Kosovo which lasted 12 months. The second deployment was in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom which began October 1, 2005. I was 15 months into the 18 month deployment (now 22 months with the extension under President Bush's new plan) when I was seriously wounded in action.
December 2, 2006 was like any other day. While on a routine patrol we received a change of mission from headquarters and were ordered to roll to another area. There was an M2A2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle containing a crew of three leading our two vehicle convoy. Our up-armored humvee was at full capacity with four passengers and one gunner; I was riding shotgun as vehicle commander. We were driving down the dirt road like any other day when everything went black. I remember hearing a muffled noise similar to the sound one hears when cannon-balling into a swimming pool. When I opened my eyes I saw what used to be our humvee not far in front of me, parts of the vehicle were everywhere. I heard screaming and yelling and then looked down at where my legs used to be. My left leg was blown off above my knee and all I could see of my right leg was hamburger from my knee down. I was covered in blood. At that point I yelled for tourniquets not even realizing they had already been applied. I had them tighten the right tourniquet and then closed my eyes and began to pray. For any of you wondering, your life really does flash before your eyes. As I was being loaded onto a stretcher for transport I told one of my buddies to tell my wife I loved her. Although I never gave up my fight to live I didn't think I was going to make it. It is only through a miracle from God that I am here to tell this story and am able to tell my wife I love her myself.
My thoughts and feelings about being in the military have not changed. I still support the war. I am still proud to have served with the members of Bravo Company and most of all 1st Platoon, 2nd Squad, my brothers whom I will share a lifelong bond with. There are people here at Walter Reed AMC that have changed their opinion and compromised their values because of their injuries, but the fact is we all serve in a volunteer army despite anyone's reason for joining. I joined in October of 1998 at age 17 for no other reason than wanting to serve my country. After taking my oath of enlistment I received only a t-shirt that simply stated "it all starts with attitude," which I firmly believe.
I find myself in a circumstance right now that many people would rather be dead than be in. I am thankful to have lived through such a horrific event yet sorrowful that two of my best friends did not. Although I have lost parts of both of my legs and will require extensive rehabilitation to become proficient with prosthetics I will eventually be able to live a mostly "normal" life. I keep a positive attitude and although I know my life will never be exactly same I draw strength from the fact that I have a wonderful wife, two wonderful little boys, and a good life waiting for me back in Minnesota. That is what is going to get me through this, a great family and a positive attitude. Just like the t-shirt said, it all starts with attitude.
I embrace the challenges that lie ahead. While some may dread physical therapy I welcome it, it is my vehicle out of this place. I envision the day I can walk through the door of my new home and continue my life as a father and husband as if I never left.
By John Kriesel
January 31, 2007
