Lucas David Cifka

Lucas Cifka is original from Olympia, Washington. While growing up, he was always very active in sports and enjoyed spending time outdoors. Lucas always knew he wanted to be a part of something bigger, and was drawn to the idea of helping protect the freedoms he had while growing up.

Lucas enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman at Ft. Benning, GA. Upon completion of training, he was deployed to Iraq. Lucas continued his military career state-side, attending both the U.S. Army Sniper School, and the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy. Shortly after graduation, he was once again deployed, but this time to Eastern Afghanistan.

On May 31, 2013, while on foot patrol, Lucas was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). As a result of the blast, Lucas unfortunately lost both of his legs, as well as sustained fractures to his pelvis, both hands, and his face. Lucas was first evacuated to Germany and then to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he underwent dozens of surgeries and years of physical rehabilitation.