Soldier

I was injured by an enemy hand grenade in Afghanistan in 2010. I spent three years recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center... And through that three years, I was forced to search for the silver linings during the long dark and painful nights and days in the hospital.

I was big into football in college.

In the Marine Corps there is no individual effort, we're all a big team.

You have to experience and take defeat in any and all aspects of life so you can be better and stronger.

I am proud of my scars because they show I dedicated myself to a bigger purpose.

Going from toting a machine gun in Afghanistan... to using a bed pan, and I can't even put my own socks on - that was hard to kind of suck it up.

I am a retired United States Marine Corporal and I started out in 2nd Battalion Night Marines on my deployment and I finished my career in the Marine Corps at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as a patient.

Obviously, the line of miracles that got me to where I am is incredible.

I want my story to help others see what's extraordinary in themselves.

Running was great for me, but there are so many positive and awesome sports out there that can help you recover.

There are always fellow Marines who understand and know what you're going through. Be proud, don't be ashamed, and go out there and tackle the second life you've been given.

There was always the next therapy appointment, next surgery, next college exam, but with time and deep thought, those evolved into life lessons, which then evolved into perspective.

I remember my buddies yelling at me, and it sounded like they were a football field away, and I remember them yelling, 'You're gonna make it, you're gonna make it!' I just kept trying to tell them that I was going to die.

There were a lot of hard times, and having to have a team of people help me out of the bed, having to use a bedpan is a really tough thing to swallow. But looking back, I'm proud of my scars and what myself and my Marines went through in Marjah.

As the president put the Medal of Honor around my neck, I felt the history and the weight of a nation.

The best time of being a Marine was Afghanistan. There will never be a time when I'm sleeping in the dirt and I haven't showered in four months and I'm with 50 of the people that I'll be the closest with ever.

But I think most importantly, we need to realize that not everyone is privileged or born into a good life, stable homes or a home, period.

Just because I'm in the spotlight - I'm actually no better than anyone else. Everyone has hard days and tough times.

I ran a marathon, completed a mud run and jumped from a plane.

Scars are a truly beautiful thing. Yes, they can be a little ugly on the outside, but scars show that you're a survivor, that you made it through something, and not only did you make it through, but now you're stronger and wiser and more educated because of that tough time that you went through.