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War Hero Kyle Anderson
October 29, 2004
I am writing you a letter about 2003 state high school Champion Kyle Anderson. I coached Kyle Anderson at Simley High school for five years. Kyle started wrestling varsity as an eighth grader and managed to win a state tournament at 160 lbs. his senior year.
Kyle came to me after a disappointing state tournament performance in 2002 and he said, "Coach I have to win it next year what do I need to do?" Kyle and I sat down and developed a plan that I believed if he followed, he would win the state tournament. Kyle never missed a workout that was scheduled on that plan. Kyle Increased his bench press by over 40 lbs. in one summer and fall. Kyle finished his senior season 48-2 and was a state champion. I use Kyle now as an example of a guy who set a goal, developed a plan to achieve that goal, and then did the tough part of goal setting, he followed the plan.
After Kyle graduated I hoped as all wrestling coaches do that he would continue to wrestle in college. Kyle had many offers but he chose to join the marines. From as long as I knew Kyle he had dreamed of being a marine. Kyle enlisted and went off to boot camp.
Kyle came to my house in August of this summer and we sat and talked about his experience in boot camp. Kyle told me that he dominated in his platoon. He explained that whenever they did physical endurance test he never lost. He set the obstacle course record as well as being the number one marksmen in his platoon. Kyle left basic training a lance corporal, two ranks higher than everyone else in his platoon (most of the men came out with a rank of private). Kyle credited the sport of wrestling for his superiority over the rest of the enlisted men.
Then Kyle stopped talking for a moment and he looked at me and said, "Coach Short, they are sending us to Iraq. They told us to take time to say the things we need to say to everyone in our lives because there is a good chance we may not come back." Then he said, "Thank you coach... for all the mornings you drilled with me, the times you lifted with me... just for everything, thank you." At that moment it hit me that Kyle was saying good-bye and I realized I might not see Kyle ever again. I told Kyle that no thanks were needed that I enjoyed every moment I coached him and that I was proud of him. We spent the rest of that night talking about the wrestling and his basic training and then Kyle left.
On Monday, October 11th an IED bomb hit Kyle or what they call a dirty bomb. It is a homemade bomb that is very destructive. Kyle was hit by a piece of shrapnel that shot through his helmet crushing the back of his skull and penetrating the left side of his brain.
Kyle was taken to a hospital where they did immediate brain surgery. Amazingly enough Kyle survived the first surgery. Kyle was sedated with Phenobarbital to keep him in a medically sedated coma. Kyle would under go two more surgeries. A huge portion of the back of his skull had to be removed because of infection and gangrene. Kyle survived for another week and we got word that Kyle was being flown out of Iraq to Germany.
After a few days in Germany Kyle was transported to Bethesda, Maryland. The plane could not fly over 5000 feet because of the swelling in Kyle's brain. Kyle arrived in Maryland on the 25th. Kyle underwent another surgery and was still being kept in a medical coma. The doctors are amazed that Kyle's body is digesting food. They are literally pumping food into his body and he is digesting it. The doctors are starting to bring Kyle out of his coma and he is starting to wake up. Kyle is going to live.
Kyle has so many major obstacles to overcome and it will take some time but Kyle is a true fighter. I believe Kyle will awake soon and he will someday read this letter. I want to take this opportunity to thank Kyle for his service and bravery. I want him to know how much his sacrifice means to my family and me. I want him to know that he is a hero.
He went to Iraq protecting our freedom and our way of life. I would also like to thank him for trying to keep my family and all Americans safe from terrorists. I will teull him that he is a role model for my son and that Jake says a prayer for him every night. The last thing I want Kyle to read is that I can't wait to see him walk in my office door back at old Simley High. I will continue to pray for Kyle.
I send this letter in a hope that the wrestling community would take a moment and think of all those Americans over in Iraq. I know there are a lot of people who may disagree with the war, just remember to protest the war not the soldiers. The soldiers continue to fight for us. If you have time, take a few moments and say a prayer for Kyle Anderson. If you are interested in staying updated on Kyle Anderson's situation or if you would like to honor Kyle you can visit simleywrestling.com.
Thank You,
Will Short