June's Veteran Of The Month: Jeremy Wolfsteller

Jeremy Wolfsteller was born April 4, 1978 in Minnesota. A majority of his childhood was spent living in different locations and attending multiple schools around the Twin Cities.

His junior and senior years of high school were in Maple Grove and Osseo Minnesota where he graduated from High school in 1997. He went into the delayed entry program through the United States Army in the summer of 2001 prior to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

In Feb of 2002 he reported to Fort Knox Kentucky for Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training. After successfully completing 4 months of intense training he graduated and was able to start his military career at Fort Carson Colorado Springs as a 19 Delta Cavalry Scout with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

Once he arrived to Fort Carson he was there for approximately 7 months before receiving the first deployment orders to Iraq in March of 2003. His deployment was around 14 months in length from 2003 to 2004. He spent most of his tour in Fallujah, Iraq conducting patrols and minimizing the enemy.

Upon return to the United States in mid 2004, he was being promoted to an E-5 Sergeant and sent to Warriors Leaders Course, which used to be called Primary Leadership Development Course. His 3-year contract with the Army was coming to an end with only 8 months left.

With the Iraq War in full breakout, his unit received its 2nd deployment orders to return early 2005. He was put under Federal Stop Law Orders and sent back to Iraq with his unit April of 2005 to Tal'Afar Iraq.

Within 2 months of his tour, he was shot in a several hour gun battle and air lifted to Baghdad Iraq to undergo a 9-hour life-saving surgery. He was then sent to Landstuhl, Germany and then to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to receive one year of medical treatment.

He learned he was shot in his right hip as he was returning fire in the prone firing position. The bullet had traveled through his right hip, through the sacrum, up his spine L5-L1 and through his lung just missing my heart and finally ending in his left scapula.

He was medically retired out of the service due to his extensive injuries in April 2007.

He went on to college using the Veterans Affairs education benefits and became one of the college's Veterans Resource Advisors.

After completing his degree, he applied for a Department Service Officer position within The American Legion Department of Minnesota. He's been with The Legion for over two years now. What he's able to do for veterans because of his respected position within the American Legion is an honor.

The army uses an acronym to explain The Army Core Values, "LDRSHIP" Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Integrity and Personal Courage. These values are how he lives his life today and the respect he has for the service members and veterans. His understanding and respect for the American Legion has developed since becoming a Service Officer. Understanding the American Legion service's it provides to veterans by making sure every veteran and family member are aware of their earned entitlements for their sacrifices and have access to them is imperative.

He has confidence that veterans will always be taken care of as long as there are veteran service organization around like The American Legion.

Audio: June's Veteran