STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Krumwiede was leading a foot patrol in 2012 to check on Afghan National Army counterparts serving in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED, losing both legs above the knee.

The improvised explosive device also caused severe trauma to his left arm and abdomen, forcing him to sped three months in the trauma and burn ICUs at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.

He now lives in the Bellevue where he works as a First Responder Alumni coordinator for Higher Ground, teaching adaptive sports. On Monday he will tell the Wood River Valley community about the courage it took him to build a meaningful and joyful life following his injuries.

Krumwiede, a Purple Heart-decorated veteran and medically retired U.S. Army sergeant who grew up in Pocatello, will speak at 4:30 p.m. today--Monday, June 3--at The Community Library in Ketchum.

It is one in a series of The Miracle of the Mind Series presented in partnership with Anita Dromey Speech Therapy at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation in Ketchum.

To see it in person, RSVP at https://thecommunitylibrary.libcal.com/event/12242384. The program will be livestreamed and recorded to watch later, as well.