John felt the call to serve our nation, joining the U.S. Navy at the age of just 20. After completing his training in Explosive Ordinance Disposal, one of the most dangerous jobs in the military, he served two deployments to Iraq. During his service, he disarmed and disposed of approximately 400 explosive hazards and hidden bombs.

On his final deployment, John was feeling torn. He was honored to serve his country, but he knew this time it would be especially difficult to be away from home.

"My wife was pregnant with our first child."

On September 5, 2010, his first child was born. Just 12 days later, John was clearing landmines on a hilltop in Afghanistan when his metal detector failed to alert him to danger nearby.

The explosion amputated his left foot completely. His right leg was severely injured.

"I returned to the United States and met my newborn daughter for the first time in my hospital room."

After several surgeries at Walter Reed, ultimately John's right leg had to be amputated as well.

As fate would have it, while John was re-learning to walk on his prosthetics, his daughter was learning to take her first steps.

"She was my driving force to get better."

Today, the Kremers have two children and live in Franklin, Ohio. John finds himself struggling in a home not suited to his needs.

“I have to crawl up the stairs if I do not have my prosthetics on."

John’s house limits his mobility because it isn't wheelchair accessible. “If I need something, most of the time, I have to have my wife get it for me."

Most of all, John wants to contribute more to their family life at home. "Being able to do things on my own will allow me to be a greater help to my wife and children.”