Fr. Lieutenant Andrew Kinard, USMC, Receives the Freedom Alliance's 2008 Defender of Freedom Award

On Thursday night, the R.C. Blog was in attendance for the Freedom Alliance's "Defender of Freedom" dinner in Washington, D.C. The recipient for this year's Freedom Alliance's Edward J. Bronars Defender of Freedom Award was First Lieutenant Andrew Kinard, USMC.

There was not a dry eye in the room as 1stLt Kinard, 25 years old, talked about his battle for life following an IED explosion in Iraq during his patrol and his heartfelt apprection to God and the Marines. Kinard was severely injured resulting in the loss of both of his legs. He spent the next four months undergoing 57 surgical procedures to restore his normal body functions and the next year recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. In January 2008, President Bush invited 1stLt Kinard to the State of the Union address, where he sat next to First Lady Laura Bush. Remarkably, 1stLt Kinard is today still serving his country as an active duty Marine.

He inspired the audience with his positive outlook and smile and he expressed how blessed he feels today to be alive. He attributes his ability to still be alive to God, the support of his family, and to the dedication of the Marines and other military and medical personnel who kept him from dying throughout various phases of his injury and recovery.

The dinner event also featured speeches from Freedom Alliance Founder and Honorary Chairman LtCol Oliver North, USMC (Ret.) , Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon, and radio talk show host, commentator, and author Laura Ingraham. A very special "thank you" to the Kilgannons for their invitation to this remarkable event.

As always, the R.C. Blog proudly supports the Freedom Alliance and encourages all readers to visit their web site (freedomalliance.org) and consider making a tax-deductible donation to this extremely worthy cause.