Bob Kunkel served in Vietnam
and spent a year and a half at Fort Devens Army Hospital
in Massachusetts
where he was put back together. He has
put his “experience” with pain and injury to good use with trips to Walter Reed
over the past four years. As a sensei in
Jujitsu Bob knew that one of the issues an injured warrior faces is the feeling
of being unable to defend yourself or your loved ones. Through hands on jujitsu lessons he teaches
anyone who wants to learn how to be powerful again. At other times Bob will visit a soldier’s
room that no one else has been able to go into.
He has taken soldiers for their first time off the premises for a meal
and they quickly learn they have nothing to be afraid of. Bob is willing to fly anywhere to help a soldier
in trouble. One call asked him to be at
WRAMC the next day because a soldier was trying to make a decision to try to
fuse or amputate. Bob’s knee is fused. He was able to spend some time with this
soldier talking about what life is like with a fusion. He will start traveling
to Brooks Army Medical spread his “You are either sucking air or sucking dirt
and if you’re sucking air it’s a good day” attitude. All proceeds from the sale of these ornaments
will go to Bob and his travels. Other Vietnam, Persian Gulf
and Operation Desert Storm Vets will join him in his work when word spreads of
this special ministry. Bob has been
featured on the CNN’s hero’s series and considers himself to be the luckiest
guy on this planet!
Joe Gromelski
/ S&S
Instructor Bob Kunkle takes down his
"attacker," Dave Rossi, during a martial arts demonstration at Walter Reed
Army Medical
Center.
Joe Gromelski / S&S
Iraq war veteran Joe Beimfohr flips instructor Bob
Kunkle during a martial arts demonstration at Walter Reed
Army Medical
Center. Beimfohr lost both legs in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq
two years ago.
Joe Gromelski / S&S
Iraq war veteran Joe Beimfohr demonstrates a way
to subdue "attacker" Dave Rossi during a martial arts demonstration
at Walter Reed Medical
Center. Beimfohr lost both legs in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq
two years ago.
Joe Gromelski / S&S
Dave Rossi suddenly finds himself pointing in the wrong direction after
being flipped by Joe Beimfohr.
Joe Gromelski / S&S
Even though he's lying on the ground, instructor Bob Kunkle
is able to upend Dave Rossi.