Back in the Air - Final Post

Kyle flew in an HH-60 Pavehawk today!  It was his first flight back since his injury in Afghanistan on June 19, 2010.  He has stayed focused, determined and worked very hard to get to where he is today.  His mindset is to leave the past behind him and move forward.  And he is doing just that.  Kyle was very excited to get back up in the air and felt much support from the community at Moody.   

He started the flight in the back of the helicopter sitting in the gunner's position.  After a few hours they swapped crews and he flew up front with Josh Shonkwiler, who was instructing him during this ride.  Shonkwiler visited Kyle when he was in Bethesda and said he wanted to fly with him in one of his first flights back.  The flight went very well, despite the heavy winds and recent passing thunderstorms throughout the southeast today.  And upon returning to base, members of his squadron met him out on the flight line to congratulate him - truly an awesome day. 

Kyle texted me this photograph at the start of his flight today from the gunner's seat in the helicopter with this message attached:  "Suck it Taliban".  

Kyle will fly for the next several months with instructor pilots to get all of his qualifications current.  He will work to get current on all maneuvers in the air and for ground training.  It's such an exciting time and one that we often weren't sure would ever happen again after June 19th.  At Kyle's last and final visit at Bethesda Naval Hospital, the doctors told him his injury was a level 3B, which is the second worst possible scenario.  His recovery and ability to get back in the cockpit are truly a miracle and very admirable.

Recently Kyle received some photographs from one of his doctors over in Afghanistan when he arrived in Bagram.  I wanted to share a few of those here in this last post because they were special moments for Kyle and show some of the wonderful people who cared for him while overseas.

Kyle with a team of nurses and doctors after he arrived in Bagram - showing Dr. Vandehoef on the right who was a memorable doctor for Kyle always telling him the honest truth about his medical condition and the one who emailed him these photographs.  

Kyle being awarded the Purple Heart while in Bagram - a special photograph we treasure having today. 

It has been a pleasure to document Kyle's successful year of progress.  On days when we weren't sure what was happening it wasn't always easy to write about it publicly.  However, this experience has brought us all closer together and made us stronger; and Kyle continues to want to go back to exactly how life always used to be for him - quiet, humble, personal and in the air.

But it is with an even greater pleasure that I end the blog with some recent portraits done on the flight line with Kyle at Moody AFB and end this Road to Recovery.  Congratulations Kyle on such an amazing and successful recovery, you truly are an inspiration.

Kyle in front of one of the Pavehawks that was out on the flight line one recent weekend after he had been cleared back to flight status.  

Three Pavehawks out on the flight line.  

Inside the helicopter, looking at the co-pilot side of the helicopter where Kyle was sitting when shot in Afghanistan. 

The Jolly Green emblem on the side of the helicopter for the 41st Rescue Squadron.  

Kyle stands by the green feet showing his leg that has healed miraculously after returning from a walk out on the flight line.  

Kyle, now back to being a happy and healthy pilot and back in his flight suit.  Looking good!  

And a list of Thank Yous are in order (it's impossible to reach everyone, but I hope each and every one of you know how much gratitude we all want to express to you):  Thank you to the crew of Kyle's helicopter, the brave PJ aboard who saved his life immediately with a tourniquet, and then the incredible doctors, nurses and staff members in Afghanistan, Germany and in the United States - your remarkable work is what saved Kyle's life and his leg.  Thank you to the air crews who flew him home safely and quickly.  Thank you to all of Kyle's family, Elsie, Bill, Kathryn and Sarah, Aunts, Uncles, Grampa Deem and cousins - you all opened your hearts and home to me for the entire year and supported Kyle every day in every way possible.  Thank you to Kyle's home health nurses, his physical therapists and amazing neighbor Jess, you all cared for Kyle while he was in Pittsburgh helping his leg heal and giving him strength and confidence throughout his recovery.  Thank you to all of Kyle's closest friends from home in Pittsburgh and his fellow colleagues and classmates throughout the military - you all supported him with visits to the hospital and his home, emails, letters, phone calls and texts that made a difference in life every day.  And you also welcomed me into your lives, which was incredible.  Thank you to all visitors in Bethesda and Pittsburgh who helped with rides to and from the airport, provided meals in the hospital, making Kyle's home handicap accessible, providing meals to the entire Deem family while home and for keeping Kyle in your prayers.  Thank you to other military family members in the hospital who endured much during their time spent in the hospital but also offered support to us while we were there - our prayers are always with you and your families.  Thank you to the supportive community in Pittsburgh including the American Legion, the VA and the Pittsburgh Steelers - you lifted Kyle up at times he really needed it most.  Thank you to news reporters who shared an accurate story for Kyle and for those groups who encouraged Kyle to share his story publicly.  Thank you to the amazing community at Moody AFB who called us the day we found out about Kyle and continued to offer support in any way they could with emails, phone calls and then spouses filling up Kyle's fridge with food when he first moved home.  Thank you to those who watched over the Deems house in Pittsburgh and Kyle's house in Georgia while everyone was away from home.  And thank you to my Mom and Dad, family, friends and co-workers - Kyle and I have been so blessed to have your support and love and I couldn't have done it without you. 

Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead and blue skies ahead for Kyle.