Updated November 26th, 2007

BORN TO SERVE

Not everyone is called to serve but thank God for those that are! I am talking about our Armed Forces and those that really feel it in their hearts, their blood, their souls that this is what they were meant to do, serve this great nation. Those that serve our country in the military truly are a high quality person yet so humble. They are the most selfless people, not only putting us the civilians needs ahead of theirs but the people of the world that they help as well. It is one of those things that brings me to tears thinking about it, their commitment, bravery and self sacrifice truly amazes me. There really aren’t enough thank yous we can give these fine men and women and their families. Hopefully when you come across someone in the military you do though take the time to say thank you. I want to share a story with you from People Magazines Heroes Among Us section from their December 3, 2007 issue. It is one of many examples of their commitment, bravery and self sacrifice, that help this to be A Wonderful Life.

Bill Krissoff, 61

Reno

By Lorenzo Benet

On the morning of Dec. 9, 2006, Bill Krissoff was making oatmeal when he heard a knock. Outside stood a chaplain and four Marines: His older son, First Lt. Nathan Krissoff, 25, has been killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. “The blood drained from my head,” says Krissoff, who woke wife Christine. “But I’m a surgeon, so I went into functioning mode. You do what you have to do.” He also did something not required. The orthopedist, with no previous military experience, signed up for a three-year hitch with the Navy Medical Corps Reserves. After he completes training in several months, he hopes to go to a field hospital in Iraq. “I’m honored they’ll have me,”he says. Navy Surgeon General Adam Robinson says the honor is theirs” “Dr. Krissoff brings the critical skills and extensive experience that are in such great need.” It wasn’t easily done. Though fit – the 5’ 8”, 160 – lb. Krissoff swims a mile a day – he’s 19 years over the Naval-enlistee age limit. Special waivers, granted to a small number of older medical specialists, can take up to a year to get. So after applying, Krissoff pressed his case in August, when he met President George W. Bush at an American Legion convention. “He asked, ‘Is there anything the White House can do for you?’” Krissoff recalls. “I said, ‘I want to serve.’” Another authority he had to persuade: Christine, 56, his wife of 29 years and mom to Nathan and son Austin, 24, a Marine stationed in Southern California. “I was teary,” she says.  “But after losing a child, it’s hard to go back to your normal life.” On Nov. 17, wearing service dress blues, Krissoff swore his oath in a ceremony at home. As friends and family raised their glasses, the doctor’s thoughts turned to Nathan. “If he had been there, he’d have told me, ‘Congratulations,’” he says now, choking back tears as he encircles an invisible shoulder with his right arm. “He’d be proud.”

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