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Vision without sight. A Chicago-area soldier blinded in battle in Iraq sees a way to continue serving our country. Because of him and other brave veterans -- the mission continues.
2008. Steve Baskis was serving the army in Iraq. At 22 years old, he was exactly where he wanted to be.
Spc. Steve Baskis, US Army: "I love my country and I really wanted to help out. When we were serving over there in Iraq you get so close to your buddies and the work that you're doing, you're just trying to accomplish the mission."
A camera crew caught Steve's squad in action.
HIs best friend by his side in the humvee, the lead vehicle transporting and protecting a general in the combat zone ... they came under attack.
Steve Baskis: "Our lead vehicle was struck by an explosive device."
An EFP, explosive foreign projectile designed to punch through armored vehicles.
Steve Baskis: "It killed one of my buddies, staff sergeant Victor Cota. It went through him, and then everything else basically hit me. A little piece went right through my temple, it went through my right eye, it blew it out basically, ruptured. It scrambled my sinuses, because it was traveling behind my face of course, and then blew out my left eye."
Steve was conscious at first, not knowing his friend was gone, knowing they had to get to safety and that his fellow soldiers would care for him.
Steve Baskis: "They saved my life."
Then everything went black.
The first thing Steve remembers is waking up at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a week later.
Steve Baskis: "They told me I was blind and I most likely would be blind for the rest of my life."
He had nerve damage in his left arm. Shrapnel still in his face. His world completely changed, yet his heart remained the same.
Steve Baskis: "From that point on, I was looking at life like, 'man, I gotta live my life to the fullest because Victor can't anymore.'"
Never succumbing to a dark day, Steve began physical therapy then training. Holding onto hope like he grips the guardrails of the treadmill he kept moving forward. Within months, he completed a half iron man.
Steve Basksis: "1.2 mile swim. 56 mile bike. 13.1 mile run."
He ran the Chicago Marathon and continues to soar.
Steve Baskis: "On Veteran's Day, I summitted the third tallest volcano in Mexico."
2008. Steve Baskis was serving the army in Iraq. At 22 years old, he was exactly where he wanted to be.
Spc. Steve Baskis, US Army: "I love my country and I really wanted to help out. When we were serving over there in Iraq you get so close to your buddies and the work that you're doing, you're just trying to accomplish the mission."
A camera crew caught Steve's squad in action.
HIs best friend by his side in the humvee, the lead vehicle transporting and protecting a general in the combat zone ... they came under attack.
Steve Baskis: "Our lead vehicle was struck by an explosive device."
An EFP, explosive foreign projectile designed to punch through armored vehicles.
Steve Baskis: "It killed one of my buddies, staff sergeant Victor Cota. It went through him, and then everything else basically hit me. A little piece went right through my temple, it went through my right eye, it blew it out basically, ruptured. It scrambled my sinuses, because it was traveling behind my face of course, and then blew out my left eye."
Steve was conscious at first, not knowing his friend was gone, knowing they had to get to safety and that his fellow soldiers would care for him.
Steve Baskis: "They saved my life."
Then everything went black.
The first thing Steve remembers is waking up at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a week later.
Steve Baskis: "They told me I was blind and I most likely would be blind for the rest of my life."
He had nerve damage in his left arm. Shrapnel still in his face. His world completely changed, yet his heart remained the same.
Steve Baskis: "From that point on, I was looking at life like, 'man, I gotta live my life to the fullest because Victor can't anymore.'"
Never succumbing to a dark day, Steve began physical therapy then training. Holding onto hope like he grips the guardrails of the treadmill he kept moving forward. Within months, he completed a half iron man.
Steve Basksis: "1.2 mile swim. 56 mile bike. 13.1 mile run."
He ran the Chicago Marathon and continues to soar.
Steve Baskis: "On Veteran's Day, I summitted the third tallest volcano in Mexico."
