One Family's Service And Sacrifice
This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.
There are some things most of us will never fully understand. Like the emotions that come when a Marine Corps officer arrives at your door to tell you your son or daughter has been killed in combat.
Bill Krissoff and his wife Christine got that horrendous news just about one year ago. Their son Nate, a Marine Lieutenant, was killed in Iraq by an improvised explosive device. Christine told me they just did the best they could do after that. One step, one day at a time. Their other son, Austin, is a Marine too. Probably enough service and sacrifice for one family.
But then Bill Krissoff, an orthopedic surgeon, began to think he, too, could serve. The problem is that Dr. Krissoff is 19 years past the age limit. When President Bush visited Reno, he met with the Krissoff's and other family members of fallen soldiers. The president asked if there was anything he could do.
Dr. Krissoff said, well, get me in to the Navy Medical Corps Reserves. Well, he's in now and hopes to be deployed soon to a field hospital in Iraq.
Harry's daily commentary can be heard on many CBS Radio News affiliates across the country.