This man, Brian Kolfage, has earned the right to be listened to. The price he paid, described at his site:
Brian Kolfage endured a life-changing event that would have sent someone of lesser spirit into a downward spiral. But for this former SF Airman turned Architect life is about looking forward to what you can do, not what you cannot.
Then Senior Airman Kolfage was on his second deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. On September 11, 2004 after working a night shift at Balad Air Base, Iraq, he awoke in the afternoon, left his tent to get some water and walked no more than 25 feet when the airbase came under a rocket attack. It would be the last time he would walk on the legs he was born with. A 107mm rocket shell exploded about three feet from Airman Kolfage. He was thrown several feet in the air and landed against a wall of sandbags, still conscious, and began calling for help.
Airman Kolfage’s best friend was thrown from his bed during the attack. He heard the screams and rushed outside to find his friend bloody, mangled, and clinging to life. The Airman and a medic rushed to help Airman Kolfage, who was struggling to breathe with only one lung after the other had collapsed. Brian’s friend desperately tried to divert his attention from the seriousness of his injuries, but calmly, Airman Kolfage assured him that he already knew the extent of his wounds, and that he just wanted to go home to his family.
Despite suffering multiple amputations and the looming possibility of death, Airman Kolfage still maintained incredible strength and courage throughout his recovery. The fact that no one with his level of amputation has ever been able to walk independently didn’t discourage him. With undiminished spirit, he still saw opportunities and worked with feverish determination through his physical therapy program, gaining strength and balance every day.
Airman Kolfage had a few good words for that ingrate, Colin Kaepernick, and those words are worth sharing:
Colin Kaepernick I lost my legs and arm fighting in the US military, the same military that I took an oath to defend our nation and flag from enemies foreign and domestic.
Next time I hear the national anthem I’ll be sure to stand for the both us since you feel that you’ve been oppressed.
We live in America, the land where no one is truly oppressed in the grand scheme of things. If you want to see the real meaning of oppressed I suggest you enlist in the military and travel abroad to the Middle East where you will witness what oppression is. Where women are beaten and killed in honor if they are raped, where 6-year-old little girls are forced to marry men in their 60’s.
That’s just a little taste of what oppression is. You Know NOTHING of what oppression is.
Every American has a choice and every opportunity to better their lives.
This is America the greatest country on this planet.
Bravo Brian! You’re a man among men. God bless you for your continued service and sacrifice!
