Kyle Anderson: A True American Hero Strength, courage, perseverance, and an indomitable spirit are just a few adjectives to describe Kyle Anderson.  He is a young man who, just a few short years ago, had the world on a string and a future that anyone would envy.  As a child, Kyle was always on the go.  He loved sports and discovered he excelled at wrestling after his big brother Matt took up the sport and needed a practice partner.  He entered and won the National Iron Man championship in Oklahoma when he was just 16.  Kyle made varsity wrestling in the eighth grade, and entered the Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament for five consecutive years, capping his high school career by dominating his 160 pound-weight class and winning the State title in 2003. Back then it was apparent Kyle had the ability, the drive, and the heart of a champion.  “Kyle came to me after a disappointing state tournament performance in 2002 and said, ‘Coach I have to win it next year what do I need to do?’” explains Simley wrestling coach, Will Short.  “Kyle and I sat down and developed a plan that I believed if he followed, he would win the state  tournament. Kyle never missed a workout that was scheduled on that plan and at the end of senior season in 2003 became a state champion with a 48-2 record.” With a number of colleges in hot pursuit offering full scholarships, Kyle carefully considered his options and chose, instead,  to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps by serving in the Marines.  He was struck by the Marine tradition of honor and duty, and wanted to test himself by joining the best of the best.  Kyle finished boot camp at Camp Pendleton in San Diego with highest honors as best shooter and company honor man, which he repeated at the Battalion level. With  so many honors and plenty of opportunity within the Corps. Kyle’s choice was to serve at the front, and was deployed to Iraq in May of 2004.  Just one week before the event that would change his life, Kyle displayed once again that he was truly a champion by saving the life of a fellow Marine coming under heavy enemy fire.  Risking his own life, he pulled his gravely injured comrade to safety. On October 13, 2004 Kyle’s patrol was returning to base and, as usual, he was the first one out of his humvee just as an RPG struck. The blast sent shrapnel through his helmet, crushing his scull. His doctor in Baghdad told his parents that he could tell immediately that Kyle was a fighter, and that most people would not have survived that first week. He was evacuated through Germany to Bethesda, Maryland where he spent over a month, facing many life-threatening surgeries and procedures, all the while in a coma. He was flown back to the Minnesota Veterans Administration Hospital in early December where he began intensive therapy and endured additional operations. It wasn’t until January that he was considered fully out of the coma. “There is not a soul in the Minneapolis VA that doesn't know Kyle,” says his Mom, Mary Kylander.  “He salutes all the men and woman who served and he is thumbs up to EVERYONE.” In early December, 2005 Kyle was finally released from the hospital.  His injury caused considerable loss of movement on his right side and has affected his speech center.  Despite his devastating injuries, he continually strives to be the best he can be and takes every day one step at a time.  He has been working hard to re-learn language, currently up to about 25 words.  And with the same strength of purpose that made him a wrestling champ, he endures the intense physical therapy that is helping him regain control of his right side. Today, Kyle won’t have any sympathy.  He has a tremendous attitude, caring more about others than himself.  He can communicate with gestures  and has an infectious smile that will win your hearts like he has everyone who has met him. We are very honored to be a part of helping make his life a little easier.