The Stupar Family

While on deployment in Mosul Iraq, in 2004, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, Michael Stupar was tasked with providing security for a recovery mission. As gunshots echoed all around, a convoy of injured Iraqi police officers approached seeking medical attention. While providing first-aid to the wounded officers, Stupar’s team suddenly found themselves under fire, with shots coming from unknown locations. While attempting to recover weapons from the back of the truck, Michael saw bullets penetrating the sand around him before feeling an intense, sharp pain around his left knee that brought him to the ground. He somehow managed to get back to the safety of his truck, and eventually returned to base where shrapnel consistent with that of an AK-47 round was removed from his leg, leaving Michael in terrible pain, but feeling thankful to have made it out alive. The harrowing experience...