A Real Hero

Opinion Journal (Best of the Web) ^ | 1/03/08 | James Taranto

[Kid Shelleen]

Since yesterday gave us the occasion to mention poor Cindy Sheehan, we thought it worth highlighting a more uplifting story of a parent's response to a son's death in Iraq. Nathan Krissoff, a Marine first lieutenant, died in Anbar in December 2006 at 25, prompting his 61-year-old father, Bill, an orthopedic surgeon, to join up, reports the Union of Grass Valley, Calif.:

Now the fallen Marine's father is committed to a mission, one that carries even more than the memory of Nathan. Krissoff's youngest son, Austin, is also an officer in the Corps.

"Both my sons were hugely affected by the events of 9/11, and Nate was proud to serve in the Marines, as Austin is," Krissoff says. "I share their views."

So he is closing his Truckee practice, leaving his Reno home, relocating to San Diego and taking on a brand new persona, that of Navy Lt. Commander.

Though 19 years over the Navy's official age limit, Dr. Krissoff will serve as a Navy surgeon for three years.

"My interest in Navy medicine," Krissoff says, "was because they take care of Marines."

Like Mrs. Sheehan, Dr. Krissoff met with the president, though that is where the similarity ends:

[Patriot Hooligan]

“I consider it no sacrifice to die for my country. In my mind, we came here to thank God that men like these have lived rather than to regret that they have died.”

General George S. Patton

[Radix]

Ping....

Thanks for this.

I’m posting a part of the article in the Canteen.

It would be redundant to post it here also.

[oneamericanvoice]

I’d check this out. A friend of mine who is considerably younger and a former Army officer was refused service because of age. I have heard of others as well.

[philled]

This is a remarkable story of a man who lost a Marine son and wants to serve as a Navy doc because "they look after the Marines". Please take a minute and Read the local newspaper story . Apparently, when you are a Gold Star parent and your age waiver has the blessing of the Commander in Chief, things are a little less bureaucratic.

From the article: Krissoff, who has a series of military classes to complete before he can serve on active duty, may work in a Forward Resuscitative Surgical System or FRSS, according to Navy Bureau of Medicine spokesman Guy Schein.

"Dr. Krissoff is coming in as a reserve officer on a Navy medical tour, and I understand he will be deploying in Iraq sometime next year," Schein says.

Richard Kyle, a spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, says the type of injuries that Krissoff will likely see are mostly from bomb blasts and gunshots requiring quick stabilization of patients. Although drastically different from ski and sports injuries, the wounds he will tend to are well-suited to the orthopedic profession.

Krissoff, who worked as an emergency room doctor early in his career, says he's confident he will be able to deal with what comes across his operating table.


May God bless him.

[oneamericanvoice]

May God bless him if this story is true. And God give rest and honor to a fallen hero.

[vigilence]

I can think of no better way to honor his fallen son’s memory. Thank God this country still turns out men like he and his sons, despite the growing odds against it.

[oneamericanvoice]

“I can think of no better way to honor his fallen son’s memory. Thank God this country still turns out men like he and his sons, despite the growing odds against it.”

Agreed!