Inspiring Video: 14 Wounded Warriors Share Stories of Heroism, Sacrifice in Defending America's Freedom
For those of you who missed it on Wednesday's America Live, Megyn Kelly introduced us to some of the brave men who protect the liberty we cherish in the United States. In a special segment, 14 wounded American warriors shared their stories after visiting the September 11 Memorial and Museum that same morning. The group included four quadruple amputees, six triple amputees, among others, and no matter their background or branch of the military, many of them say it was the attack on their country in that exact spot in 2001 that inspired them to risk everything to protect the nation.
Soldier Adam Keyes is one of them. "I haven't been there since the towers have collapsed, [and] seeing the names on the walls and everything like that, and to see the water flowing ... I knew it
was going to touch me in some way, and it did," he said. Keyes, who lost three of his limbs overseas, wasn't even a US citizen when he decided to volunteer to go fight ... but he is now. "I've been living here since I was a kid ... and I love this place just like everybody else does."
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Tyler Huffman is another warrior who is also a husband, father, and a Marine. He was shot and wounded in Afghanistan, but says that through his story he wants to remind people of what's important and what's really going on on the battlefield.
"I hope people remember that we're out there (on the battlefields) ... it's just that some people don't really know what's going on over there; they don't understand, and they don't like us [...] being in the military," he said. Huffman continued, saying that America is the "most blessed nation" in the world, citing things that we all take for granted, such as "the ability to walk, the ability to get up in the morning and do your own thing ... to go play baseball with your son; people take those things for granted ... I know I did."
Cpl. Todd Nicely's story is another that exemplifies the loyalty and heroism that abounds in those defending our freedom. Nicely lost all four of his limbs serving in Afghanistan, and when his wife told told him the news when he first woke up, his answer was surprising. She asked her husband if he knew what happened, if he knew that he'd lost his legs, and he responded that he did. She then asked if he knew he'd lost both of his hands, as well. He said he did not. But then, he immediately asked, "did anyone else get hurt over there?" His wife responded that no, no one did. His reply: "good."
Megyn asked where he got the strength for such an answer after being handed down what most would have viewed as at least life-altering if not devastating news. "When you're over there, you're looking out for the guys next to you, because they're the ones taking care of you," he said. "So, when something like that happens, you just hope nobody else got injured while you were over there doing what you're there to do."
Nicely re-affirmed a belief adopted by seemingly all of the wounded soldiers: they all consider themselves lucky. "I could've been taken that day, but I was given another chance at life. So, every day you get up and just continue to live life the way that you're supposed to and just hope it goes on a little longer."
Get your Kleenex ready, and watch this two-part video of a July 4 tribute to our troops:
Part 1:
Part 2:
Plus, for more, and to see how to get involved, visit the Stephen Siller Tunnels to Tower site or the Gary Sinise Foundation site.
