Sgt Stephen Jackel - Going to miss you bro

What can I say when we experience a loss of 38 Years young from a beautiful model American by the name of Sgt Stephen Jackel. He practically swam every ocean, climbed every mountain, scaled walls all the while having two prosthetic legs. He is a patriot you can't even summarize because there is too much to write.

So many people needed Stephen to show them how it was done and what could be done, because he never acted like he was missing two legs. He was full love, full family, full brother, full father, full husband and the fullness exploded onto the scene in various areas of life.

All the passion for life was so beautiful that it lit up a room like that of Light Up To Live and it was clear that you couldn't have a better guy on your team. With you people found they had the ability to do things that they were told they could not. This humble human being was all about America, all about patriotism and somebody who the world looked up to. People are looking for heroes and role models and Stephen embodied the very principles and examples we could all look up to.

U.S. Army Sgt. Stephen Jackel joined the military in 2008. During his time in the service, Jackel was deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan where he received countless awards, including a Purple Heart. In addition, Jackel’s unit was presented with a Valorous Unit Award. While on a convoy in Afghanistan on August 23, 2011, Jackel was injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded underneath his RG31 vehicle. The force of the blast knocked Jackel out. When Jackel came to he realized that he was trapped inside the burning vehicle, along with his team members. While attempting to escape and save the lives of several soldiers, Jackel used his amputated leg to put out the flames around him before finding an exit through the hatch at the top of the vehicle. With the hatch open, he quickly assisted others out of the burning vehicle. The blast left Jackel with severe injuries, including bilateral below the knee amputations and a traumatic brain injury. He also received multiple soft tissue injuries from shrapnel. His wonderful wife and six children stood by him all the way all the time and it inspired us all.

It felt like just a dream when I heard about us losing Stephen on the January 3rd, 2018 around 0700 rolling into this New Year. I started the VM from a close friend, stopped the message because I wasn't ready and later that night I reflected on the impact that this beautiful human had on our lives. It's going to take all of us to help share the story of Stephen Jackel and keep it alive with things like www.22Kill.com, www.LightUpToLive.com, www.TipOfTheSpearUSA.org, www.AmericanInfidelsVMC.com and honestly too many to type here. There were so many of us that are forever changed through the testimony and principles of what he brought. Let's keep riding for Sgt Jackel and keep his message and passion for life alive. Let us NEVER forget that he left us with no exuces on the achievements he had in this life and never let his adversity take from his ability to smile and love on us. I don't recall a more powerful hug than Stephen Jackel and I will hold onto that brother. God bless you and your amazing family. We are better because we had the honor of knowing you.

Please help donate to this amazing HERO and complete the families 100k goal. -- https://www.gofundme.com/sgt-stephen-jackel-family-fund