In Peoria, Arizona, a remarkable moment unfolded as Investigator William “Bill” Weigt, paralyzed in the line of duty fourteen years ago, stood for the national anthem with the aid of a state-of-the-art wheelchair.
A heartwarming image circulated on Facebook captured Weigt presenting the American flag at the Arizona Special Olympics, stirring up emotions across the nation, as reported by Today.
“After 14 years, I’ve longed to stand for the national anthem,” shared Weigt with Today. “Initially overwhelming, it was incredibly exhilarating.”
Weigt’s life changed in 2005 when he was shot during a suspect pursuit, resulting in paralysis. As a former infantry soldier in the United States, the opportunity to ‘finally’ stand for the flag held profound significance for him, he expressed to KPHO.
Heroic Marine Jumps on Live Grenade to Save Comrade – You Won’t Believe What Happened Next!
William Kyle Carpenter. You may have heard his name, or maybe not, but there’s no denying that he is a true American hero.
At just 21 years old, Kyle had already earned the rank of Lance Corporal in the United States Marines. In 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan during the war.
During a fierce battle, a grenade landed near Kyle and another Marine. Without hesitating, Kyle made a split-second decision that would change his life forever…
In that critical moment, Kyle’s decision showed incredible bravery and selflessness. He threw himself onto the grenade, using his body as a shield to protect his friend.
By doing so, Kyle risked his own life to save another, fully prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. His heroic act demonstrated the true meaning of courage and brotherhood.
Despite the horrific injuries Kyle Carpenter sustained from the grenade explosion, his story is one of incredible resilience and survival. The shrapnel left his body deeply wounded, with his skull and face fractured. He lost a significant portion of his jaw, and one of his lungs collapsed. When he was brought back to Camp Bastion, the medical team initially declared him “P.E.A” (patient expired on arrival), meaning they believed he had died.
But against all odds, Kyle survived, beginning a long and painful road to recovery. His bravery and sacrifice during the attack would later earn him the Medal of Honor, the highest military award in the U.S., marking him as an enduring symbol of heroism.
For the next two years, Kyle Carpenter had to go through 40 different surgeries to heal from his injuries. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery and later received the Medal of Honor, one of the highest military awards. President Barack Obama personally gave him this honor.
Now, Kyle is retired from the military. He is focusing on his education and is working toward earning a degree from the University of South Carolina.
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