Overcoming Adversity

SPC Morrison; Wounded Warrior Institutes Purple Heart Hunting

By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2011 - This weekend, when Army Spc. Dustin Morrison gathers with his family to celebrate the holidays, he said he knows he'll be experiencing a Christmas miracle.

Iowa Army National Guard Spc. Dustin Morrison, right, pictured here with longtime friend and hunting buddy Ethan Hess, has set his sights on establishing a nonprofit hunting organization for wounded warriors. Morrison continues his own recovery from life-threatening combat injuries he'd received in Afghanistan. Courtesy photo

The 21-year-old Iowa Army National Guard soldier discovered a new appreciation for what matters most in life after an improvised explosive device nearly took his life in Afghanistan.

Morrison, a member of the 168th Infantry Regiment, was severely wounded in April when his mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle struck the roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan's Paktia province. Army Spc. Brent Maher, the vehicle's gunner, was killed, and two other members of the unit were injured in the attack.

Morrison's prognosis was touch-and-go as the military medical system rallied, quickly moving him out of Afghanistan to progressively advanced levels of care.

When his mother, Kelli Pederson, arrived to see her wounded son at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, the staff explained the facts.

"They told me how very close we came to losing him," she said.

Morrison's lungs were so severely damaged from the blast that the staff put him into a medically induced coma. He also suffered a burst lumbar vertebra, a shattered left femur and right ankle and right hand injuries. Doctors warned him that he might never walk again.

Amputee sky dives with his MWD

Never say never! 

"I am still rocking! For those who haven’t heard, I was blown up, with my MWD, Axe, Feb 17th of this year. I lost both of my feet, and was back to work in July."

Watch this Army veteran (who is still active duty by the way) make a tandem jump with his military working dog. 

All I can say is WOW!!!!!

Thanks Brandon for spreading the word!