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May 3, 2007 6:48 pm US/Central
Soldier That Lost Legs In Iraq Has No Regrets
by James Schugel
(WCCO)
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President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush both visited Kriesel at Walter Reed Medical Center. (File)
CBS
War has a way of changing how you look at life.
Sgt. John Kriesel knows that better than anyone.
He still remembers how excited he was to enlist in the Army on his 17th birthday.
It's all he wanted to do, his passion in life back then and still today -- even after the fight of his life after a routine patrol in Iraq on a December day just five months ago.
"It was a nice day," he remembers.
He and other soldiers volunteered to go on patrol, doing routine assignments like checking homes, when something happened. His vehicle got hit by an explosive device.
"It was like everything was dark," Kriesel said. "I remember hearing there was just this distinct sound of rock landing on metal for a while -- probably like 30 seconds -- and I looked and my left leg was gone completely from here down and what was left was open like a baked potato."
Sergeant Kriesel's arm was broken too. There were no medics around, only fellow soldiers who went right to work.
"Just the courage of those guys to look at that, and not be appalled by it. They went right in and they saved me," he said.
He ended up loosing both legs. He also lost his two friends in the same explosion.
President Bush even gave him the Purple Heart in December at Walter Reid Medical Center in Washington D.C. Through it all, he is thankful.
"I'm lucky. I guess that's it. I'm very lucky," he said.
He's thankful he can still hug his children, see his wife and enjoy the simple things in life.
His only regret in life has nothing to do with joining the Army and fighting in Iraq -- he just regrets his fellow soldiers who died can't enjoy what he enjoys now.
"I try to stay positive because this is a gift. Everyday is a gift," said Kriesel.
Sgt. Kriesel will be home all weekend, and then he goes back to Walter Reid Medical Center early next week.
Friends and family will celebrate his heroism at a special benefit happening 3 p.m. Sunday at O'Gara's in St. Paul.
Anyone can come and see performances from some of Minnesota's favorite musicians, including G.B. Leighton and Martin Zeller.
The money raised will help pay for a handicapped accessible home for Sgt. Kriesel and his family.
He'll spend the summer at Walter Reid and then hopes to finish his therapy in Minnesota.
Kriesel hope to run again someday and said he's determined to make it happen.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
