Stephen Lenoir

Stephen Lenoir

This month's soldier is Stephen Lenoir, 21, of Etowah, Tenn. He joined the Army in September 2004 and was deployed in Iraq for a year, starting in October 2005. Though he returned from the Middle East safely, it wasn't long before he faced a life-or-death situation in the United States. In June of 2006, he started exhibiting signs of what he thought was bronchitis or pneumonia, which turned out to be heart failure. While he was unconscious in the hospital, a blood clot formed in his heart and traveled down to his leg, killing the muscle. One month later with his right leg amputated. He's currently on the donor list for a heart transplant, and, as soon as he is healthier, will be retired from service.

He's visiting Glenwood Springs with his wife, Heather, and his son, Adrian, 4. His father, Stephen Sr.; mother, Sherry; and sister, Shyla, are also here, lending a helping hand.

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