Wounded Marine has tomorrow in his power after loss of all limbs

‘He’s just a great guy’
By Diana Kuyper Special to The News-Sun May 10, 2011 2:19AM

ANTIOCH — Marine Sgt. John Peck wheeled into the VFW on Monday morning in his motorized wheelchair and was inundated with attention from area residents and officials. They wanted to thank him for his service and the sacrifice he made when he lost four limbs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan almost a year ago.

Peck arrived in a motorcade escorted by police and fire vehicles and a Patriot Guard motorcycle contingent. More than 2,500 supporters, including hundreds of grade and high school students, lined the sidewalks on Main Street and waved American flags as he passed by in a van donated by the Semper Fi Fund.

With parents Zenio and Lisa Krutyholowa by his side and his Siberian husky puppy, Mischa, on his lap, he at times looked overwhelmed, wiping tears from his face on his dad’s shirtfront. But then he playfully flexed the muscles in his upper left arm after someone mentioned the hours he’s spent in physical therapy over the past year.

“My arrival home this week was different than I expected. It is nice that people genuinely care, but all of this is overwhelming,” said Peck, who since arriving home a week ago has had several television interviews, was center court at a Bulls game and was treated to a weekend in Chicago courtesy of the Semper Fi Fund. “It is amazing to me how much effort people have made on my behalf.”

He readily admits at times he is down and depressed, “but I can’t do anything about what happened. I can’t get in a time machine and go back and change anything. But I have found out I can overcome a lot and still have a smile on my face. My goal is to wake up every morning and just do what I have to do. It’s not like I have a choice.”
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‘He’s just a great guy’