Sunday, May 30, 2010
A little over 2 years ago, one of our loyal subscribers at Swirlydoos Leslie Kammerdiener ( LeslieK) decided to start a blog...For reasons unknown to her at the time, but this is what she said...

Sunday, February 24, 2008
"Hellloooo!!! Is there anybody out there?
Hello and welcome to my blog! I am not really sure what kind of direction this thing is going to take, but I am looking forward to figuring it out.

To summarize my life, I am a single woman with two grown children. My daughter, Brianna (Breezy), is 23 and she works in an underground mines in a government position. My son also works for the government but in a totally different way - he is in the Army. Kevin is 19 and is currently stationed in Bamburg, Germany.

I, myself, work for Armstrong Cable in a small department that handles the back-side of billing operations. I enjoy my job for the most part, but there are days....

I am an avid reader and I enjoy scrapbooking as well. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do and I love to cook and bake.

This about sums me up so I am going to head off for now. My son is supposed to call me on Skype in a few minutes and I want to get all set up. Gotta get that webcam operating, lol!"
********************************************************

Sounds like a pretty normal life to me!!! An all America normal family living an all American normal life!!!...But today, Leslies life is anything but normal. And I know she would not mind me sharing her story...

You see, Leslies life turned upside down in May of 2008 when she got shocking news about her son Kevin.
Kevin was in a NATO convoy driving through the city of Jalalabad in Afghanistan on May 31. A suicide bomber filled a vehicle with explosives and drove it into her son's Humvee. Leslie did not know that there were 4 people in the Humvee. Both her son and his battle buddy survived the blast - the other two did not. Kevin was pulled from the wreckage and rushed to a hospital in Jalalabad. He has since been flown back to Germany and is now on this way to San Antonio, TX to a military burn unit.
His injuries were extensive, they didn't know if he would make it.

That was the beginning of Leslie, Brianna, and Kevins life...It has been forever changed.
Leslie's story is one of war, courage, honor and love....Oh, the love...In honor of Kevin, and all those who serve our country to keep us safe...We salute you...We pray for you, and we too will defend your honor...

Happy Memorial Day...

Please visit Leslies Blog "MENDED WINGS" to learn about Kevins story. She warns that it is not for the faint hearted...I visit on a regular basis...Leslie, you are an Angel...We will pray for Kevins recovery. We will pray for your dedication to helping him achieve that recovery. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, and God bless you. {{{{{{{{{hugs to Kevin from Swirlydoos}}}}}}}}}}}

I would like to share with you Layout of the week. It is Leslie's gorgeous page done with the Antebellum kit...This is her daughter Breezy giving her son Kevin a hug as they were heading to the stage for Kevin's Purple Heart Ceremony. It is one of Leslies absolute fave photos and it was taken by Rebecca Droke of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette...I agree, it requires no further words on my part..


http://lesliekamm.blogspot.com/







8 comments:

Unknown said...

Leslie, I saw this lo over at sb.com and it just moved me to tears. I can see why that is a fave photo for you. Please give Kevin a hug and thank him for putting his life on the line. I appreciate what he does and what he stands for. A big giant hug to you too!!!

Krissy said...

Delete Comment From: Swirlydoos Scrapbook Kits


Krissy said...
Leslie - THANK YOU, for sharing Kevin with all of us. We love and honor him and are thankful to him and all of our other servicemen (past, present and future) who put their lives on the line so that my child may know freedom.

Bigs gigantic hugs to your entire family - and a special hug for Kevin. =o)

Ms. Jen said...

WOW! Very emotional and what an amazing family. There are so many out there with stories like these. I hope that everyone takes at least a minute today to think of those who give of themselves every day for us. Freedom comes at a cost and we should be so lucky to know someone like Kevin! God Bless our troops and their families.

Peggy said...

A special thanks today for some very special Americans who sacrifice so much so that the rest of us can live in freedom.

Leslie, my heart goes out in gratitude to you, Kevin, and Brianna. Please give a special hug to Kevin...

BlessedinTexas said...

Thanks Leslie and thank Kevin from all of us in Texas!! I too see why this is your fav picture but I love the layout and am so happy your blessed to get this moment with both of your children. God is good and I hope out of this time you too can find all the good that life has to offer.

With hugs from hopeful wings,
Diana

Tina said...

THANK YOU to your son, Leslie!! And ALL of the other men and women who serve our country!!!!!!

GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY!!!

Tina xo

Zoa said...

wow- what a story! I am sure you are thankful every single day that God spared Kevin's life... and I am thankful for Kevin and all the men and women just like him that are serving our country! I will be praying for your family!

God Bless!!! xo~ Zoa

Unknown said...

Leslie, you must be so thankful that your son survived this tragedy and what an amazing person he is!! A true hero :0)
You have scrapped these layouts beautifully!

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