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3 soldiers inspire with their spirit

By Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 7, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

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Staff Sgt. Matthew Keil, 26, receives a hug from his wife, Tracy, during Craig Hospital's sixth annual PUSH dinner Thursday at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. A bullet severed Keil's spinal cord.

Photo by Matt McClain / The Rocky

Staff Sgt. Matthew Keil, 26, receives a hug from his wife, Tracy, during Craig Hospital's sixth annual PUSH dinner Thursday at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. A bullet severed Keil's spinal cord.

Sgt. Chase Gean takes some pain medication prior to Craig Hospital's annual PUSH dinner Thursday night, when he and two other wounded soldiers were honored.

Photo by Matt McClain / The Rocky

Sgt. Chase Gean takes some pain medication prior to Craig Hospital's annual PUSH dinner Thursday night, when he and two other wounded soldiers were honored.

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America's enemies did not succeed in breaking the spirit or will of war heroes Jason Murray, Matthew Keil and Chase Gean.

All they did was help them pursue new dreams.

An improvised explosive device planted by insurgents in Ramadi, Iraq, robbed Murray of the sight in his right eye. But his wife, Kelsi, and a cane help guide him.

A sniper pierced Keil's spinal cord with a bullet while he was patrolling Ramadi, but he uses his wheelchair and his wife's support to get around.

A guerilla in Afghanistan ambushed Gean with a machine gun, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

But with the help of veterans and his fiancee, Shannon, Gean is on his way toward becoming a high school teacher.

The three men were honored Thursday with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Inspiration Award by Craig Hospital at the Marriott Denver Tech Center.

"They are heroes in our eyes, but they strive to be normal in our eyes," said Denny O'Malley, Craig Hospital president.

After a moving video exhibition, the audience of about 800 gave a rousing, one-minute ovation to the three disabled veterans and their significant others.

"To be honest with you, I don't think I deserve it," Murray said prior to receiving the award.

Comments

  • March 7, 2008

    9:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Squatch writes:

    Thanks for your Sacrifice. You deserve everything & more.

  • March 7, 2008

    9:53 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    airbornebigfoot writes:

    These guys are real heroes.
    why are the political candidates not here
    and congratulating these Soldiers for doing their job?
    I'll tell you why, because, excluding Senator McCain,
    Their all COWARDS! Clinton, Obama, all of them!
    I'm Disapointed that Senator McCain doesnt do more of these events.

    Freedom isnt free, it sometimes has terrible costs.
    Real Heroes, and I would do anything for them.

  • March 7, 2008

    10:34 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jbowen43 writes:

    The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have nothing to do with making Americans free and everything to do with enriching republicans. I am very sorry that these young people were hurt, but as someone else said. "They chose to go."

  • March 7, 2008

    11:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kathyM writes:

    Thank you, gentlemen, for your service!

  • March 7, 2008

    12:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Lonestar writes:

    These men and the women in their lives have sacrificed for us all. Even jbowen43.

  • March 7, 2008

    3:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    zil284 writes:

    I am the mother of Chase who is in this article and I would like to address jbowen43 to say that YES, my son voluntered to be in the army and to be a soldier but .... he did not say "I'm here, shoot me!" He did his job and yes this WAR has everything to do with Americas freedom. My son survived a bullet to his spine and cannot walk but did this stop him from living? Hell no! I thank God for the good men and women who are fighting this war. They are AMERICANS !! Be thankful that you do not have an injured or dead child from this war.

  • March 7, 2008

    3:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Lonestar writes:

    Thank you for what you do Tommy.

  • March 7, 2008

    3:20 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Lonestar writes:

    Thank you too Maam for raising a wonderful son.

  • March 7, 2008

    6:07 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    livestrong writes:

    We live in THE greatest country in the world. The threats we face today are simple - nuclear war by a coalition of extremists. I'm from a family of 12 and 4 of my brothers served this country. Be thankful for what you have and the reason you have it. To our soldiers (past and present) and their families we thank you and honor you.

  • March 8, 2008

    7:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    zil284 writes:

    Regardless on your viewpoint on the war, you should at the very least support the men and women serving. They deserve much more respect than the comment by jbowen43. They risk their own lives to PROTECT others and are seperated from their own families while we take being with ours everyday forgranted.They sacrifice EVERYTHING and never ask for anything in return.(This comment was made by a Kansas University student and family friend of Chase)

  • March 8, 2008

    12:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    express writes:

    I am Chase' Aunt. To the person(I would rather use other terms) jbowen43. Your comment tells me how much you care that my nephew can't walk, or all the other soldiers that have fought for your FREEDOM, their lives have been changed forever.Yes, he signed up to go, nobody forced him.I thank God everyday that there are people like him that will do that. I think you need to appreciate all of the Soldiers that go and fight, so you have the freedom to make the stupid remarks you made.I hope that he never has to look you in the eye, or anyone like you. I am proud as hell to be his Aunt, and to be an FREE American.They are all my Hero's.