1.  What happened to John Kriesel?

2.  Write the three adjectives that you think best describe John's character.  Explain your choices. 

3.  Re-read the last several paragraphs of the article:
When it was time for Kriesel to get his Purple Heart, he only wanted one man to present it: President Bush.  "He takes over a room," Kriesel says. "He walks in and you get the feeling that everything's OK."
Despite what happened, the president's approval rating is 100 percent to Sgt. Kriesel.
"We all knew what could happen. We volunteered. And I support the cause. I have no regrets," he says. "The only two regrets are that two of my buddies in the vehicle died."
What do you think of John's attitude?

• For information on Memorial Day, go to the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs at www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/index.asp

• Remember Spc. Keith Matthew Maupin, captured in Iraq on April 9, 2004 - read about Matt at a website set up by his parents mattmaupin.us

• Suggestions for Memorial Day by Armstrong Williams posted at Townhall.com: "do something different this weekend. Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes. Visit memorials and fly U.S. Flags at half-staff until noon and pledge to aid the disabled veterans, widows, widowers and orphans of those that died in conflicts and wars."
  
• Also, consider writing a note of support and encouragement to a soldier.  The following websites can help get you started:
  • FamiliesUnitedMission.com
  • AMillionThanks.org
  • AnySoldier.com
  • OperationFirstResponse.org
  • OperationGratitude.com
  • AmericaSupportsYou.mil

For an update on John Kriesel's progress, go to KARE 11 (the NBC affiliate in Minneapolis) here.