Defender of Freedom

Last night Craig and I were able to attend Freedom Alliance’s 15th Annual Defender of Freedom Award Dinner as guests of Richard Norman, President of the Richard Norman Company, and his lovely wife Vickie.

Each year, Freedom Alliance gives the Edward J. Bronars award to someone, who, in the face of adversity, exemplifies faith, courage and fidelity to the Constitution and the principles of freedom. First Lieutenant Andrew Kinard, USMC, native of Spartanburg, South Carolina and a 2005 graduate of the United States Naval academy was presented the award this year.

Only six weeks into Andrew’s deployment he was standing directly on top of a 155mm artillery shell when it detonated. Andrew lost both of his legs and suffered a long list of severe internal injuries. Immediately following the explosion, he was issued 67 units of blood and went into cardiac arrest multiple times before arriving at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. In the four months following the incident Andrew received nearly 60 surgeries that only began to restore his normal body functions. First Lieutenant Kinard spent more than a year recuperating from his injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Today, Andrew continues to serve his country as an active duty Marine.

First Lieutenant Kinard gave a heart warming speech at the dinner last night and I don’t believe there was a dry eye in the room. Andrew doesn’t view himself as a hero and instead of speaking about his story he chose to talk about the Marines that saved his life, “My Marines didn’t give up on me, so I didn’t give up on them.” Andrew said in his speech that those Marines that saved his life kept doing their jobs to keep him alive, so he kept fighting to live.

After the dinner Craig and I had the opportunity to meet First Lieutenant Kinard and thank him for his service to our country. Andrew is a well spoken, energetic and humble individual who is proud to serve our country.

First Lieutenant Kinard, we salute you, sir.