When War Strikes Home

I had the honor of preparing the visuals for the local Red Cross Heroes Breakfast this year. Among those selected was Nathan Krissoff, a local boy. He was killed in Iraq last year.

Nathan came from Truckee up in the Sierra. His father was a doctor there with a successful practice. Nathan came to our area to go to school.

Nathan graduated from The Stevenson School in Carmel in 2001 I believe, it could have been 2000. He was a fabulous student, a poet, president of the student body and captain of the swim team.

After graduation he went to Williams College. He earned his degree and wanted to serve his country in the wake of 9/11. He applied to the CIA as he had a gift for languages and wanted to be involved in human intelligence. The CIA thought him too young for that sort of work. The Marine Corps thought otherwise.

While performing that duty last year, 1st LT. Nathan Krissoff was killed.

After his death, his father at age 61 gave up his practice, and with a special dispensation from President Bush, was allowed to re-enter the military and he went on to serve in Iraq. His brother, also a Marine, is prohibited from serving in Iraq as he is a sole surviving son.

What can you say about the Krissoff family?

Semper Fidelis indeed.