John Joseph Kraft Jr

My parents always raised me knowing the secret of life. We create our tomorrow today. Ask for it, believe it, See it, and Live It. This is how he, my hero, my father lives every day. Full of love, laughter, and possibility; always full of the very best you can give, hard work for a wonderful pay out. He is a man of his word, man of honor, and taught me that code.

He was first born of a poor divorced family. His spirit was forged by hardship and the desire to be and have more, to survive the life he was born into. He was living on his own and working two jobs by ninth grade. He graduated, learned a trade HVAC. Joined the Navy and discovered opportunities. He learned many skills, awards and began his walk as a warrior. He became a Navy SEAL. He chased the worlds tyrants all over the world, but he was always my teacher and friend first. I really felt like I was only sharing him with the rest of the world.

He then became a Pilot. He again went to war in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places I am sure I will never know. I am most proud of Dad for finishing his College degree with honors. I was there when he was given his diploma. That is the day I knew I would one day earn mine. I too would be an honor grad. I would walk across the stage and my family will cheer for me. I saw my future. He motivated me and inspired my best academic possibility, I am a straight A student that is what I have earned.

While fighting the world's evil in another hemisphere, he was working with New Hope Horizons in San Juan, Guatemala. One day he decided to go for a swim. His fellow military men thought the water too rough for them. Two local Guatemalan boys were swimming in the ocean as well. Storms far off in the South Pacific propelled huge swells to the Americas, causing a surge of waves that battered the Pacific beachfront. High surf kicked up as far south as northern Chile and as far north as Southern California. The waves resulted from a particularly intense low pressure system several hundred miles off that caused hurricane-like force winds. Masses of water were shoved eastward, creating unusually big waves when the swells hit the Americas. "The storm system that generated these waves was fairly extraordinary," Crowds watched in awe as 12-foot surf pounded the Guatemalan beach. The boys weakened. The National Weather Service posted high surf advisories. "The waves came up fairly high and it is definitely dangerous," said a hotel concierge. 15-foot waves surged 100 yards up onto land. Dad saw one of the boys being carried by the wicked rip tide. The walls of water crash upon them; Dad put his own life at risk to save this little boy from Guatemala. He got to him and swam him in over 800 meters in 4-5 meter seas and pounding surf. THAT IS WHY DAD IS A HERO. FEW SAW, BUT THAT WAS NEVER WHY A HERO IS A HERO.

I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE U.S. ARMY WANTS TO GIVE MY DAD A HERO'S MEDAL, KNOWN AS A SOLDIER'S MEDAL. I AM PROUD OF YOU, I AM GLAD THAT OUR COUNTRY WANTS TO HONOR OUR HEROES, WE NEED HEROES IN AMERICA!!

Sometimes you have to serve in order to lead.