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March 09, 2011
Wounded Soldier Fights For Hunt of a Lifetime - 6
by Ali Moran
 On Nov. 5, 2009, Nidal Hasan open fired on the Fort Hood medical building, leaving 31 injured and 13 dead, making it one of the worst mass shootings on a military base in U.S. history. Of the most critically injured was Staff Sgt. Patrick Zeigler, a 29-year-old hunter, who was shot in the head, shoulder, hip and forearm. After undergoing six brain surgeries and 16 months of grueling rehabilitation, Zeigler miraculously regained the ability to talk and walk with the assistance of a cane. When an army chaplain asked him about his goals for the future, Zeigler said he would one day like to be able to fulfill one of his life-long dreams: to go on an elk hunt. Upon hearing of Zeigler’s heartbreaking story and modest wish, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation member Paul O’Connell of Beach Mountain, N.C., gave Zeigler his reserved annual hunting spot in northern Arizona’s White Mountain Apache Reservation, an area that hosts one of the largest herds of trophy elk in the world. "When I knew all these people were behind me from so far away, from so many parts of the country, that's when I knew I was going to keep recovering and be a part of the Army the rest of my life," Zeigler told the Reno Gazette-Journal last Thursday at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s annual convention, where he was being honored. But on Friday, Zeigler took a turn for the worst. He fell down in his hotel room and a life-threatening blood clot to formed. Although Zeigler is currently in stable condition in a Reno hospital, doctors say this could be a setback to Zeigler’s long road to recovery. The trophy hunt, which was planned for September 2011, is now pending. Before the shootings, Zeigler had just returned to Texas from his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was a member of the 1st Cavalry Division’s 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. Get well quick Zeigler, we're all pulling for you. Click here for the heal Patrick Zeigler Recovery Fund Photo: zachlambert photography |
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Comments (6)
Staff Sargeant Zeiglar my prayers go out to you and your family as you continue in your recovery. As a disabled American who is unable to serve let me say how grateful and thankful I am to live in a country where people such as yourself voluntarily stand in the gap to protect people like me who can't serve. Also to Mr. O'Connell who donated his hunt spot, kudos to you as well sir. May God bless you Mr. Zeiglar and all our troops who are in harm's way today and may God bless the United States of America.
I wish you the best of luck & a speedy recovery!
Thanks to you, and all those enlisted, for your service!
Enjoy the hunt!
Praying for a speedy recovery.
Staff Sgt. Zeigler, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you recover. Thank-you for standing in for those who can't, and even for those who won't. I hope they realize how much of a sacrifice you and your family made when you went overseas. My younger brother is in Iraq now, and since we live within a couple of miles of his wife and children, I make sure to be around for my nephew, now 10 years old, whenever I can. Know that I stand and salute you for your responding to the call to arms, and also a salute to Paul O’Connell for selflessly donating the hunt. People like you make me PROUD to be living in the GREATEST country in the world!!
Recover well SSG, we're counting on you to kill a monster this year. I expect a follow-up story OL, especially WHEN he recovers and harvests a big bull.
Keep up the fight Staff Sgt. Patrick Zeigler you are an inspiration. Thank you for your service and sacrifice; may God Bless you.
Thank you OL for posting the donation link. This young hunter deserves that elk hunt.
Most respectfully,
charlie
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Keep up the fight Staff Sgt. Patrick Zeigler you are an inspiration. Thank you for your service and sacrifice; may God Bless you.
Thank you OL for posting the donation link. This young hunter deserves that elk hunt.
Most respectfully,
charlie
Recover well SSG, we're counting on you to kill a monster this year. I expect a follow-up story OL, especially WHEN he recovers and harvests a big bull.
Staff Sgt. Zeigler, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you recover. Thank-you for standing in for those who can't, and even for those who won't. I hope they realize how much of a sacrifice you and your family made when you went overseas. My younger brother is in Iraq now, and since we live within a couple of miles of his wife and children, I make sure to be around for my nephew, now 10 years old, whenever I can. Know that I stand and salute you for your responding to the call to arms, and also a salute to Paul O’Connell for selflessly donating the hunt. People like you make me PROUD to be living in the GREATEST country in the world!!
Praying for a speedy recovery.
I wish you the best of luck & a speedy recovery!
Thanks to you, and all those enlisted, for your service!
Enjoy the hunt!
Staff Sargeant Zeiglar my prayers go out to you and your family as you continue in your recovery. As a disabled American who is unable to serve let me say how grateful and thankful I am to live in a country where people such as yourself voluntarily stand in the gap to protect people like me who can't serve. Also to Mr. O'Connell who donated his hunt spot, kudos to you as well sir. May God bless you Mr. Zeiglar and all our troops who are in harm's way today and may God bless the United States of America.
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