FORT RILEY, Kan. -- The closing NASDAQ bell in New York City's Times Square normally represents the end of daily trading on the MarketSite, the largest electronic stock market in the U.S., but on Dec. 28, the ceremony's symbolism ran a bit deeper for Master Sgt. Kevin Walker and his Family when he was honored with the special task of officially closing the market.
"Him ringing the closing bell for NASDAQ was kind of like a way to end it, our Army life," said Patti Walker, Army Wounded Warrior advocate at Fort Riley and wife of Master Sgt. Kevin Walker, operations and plans, Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Infantry Division.
"I was closing NASDAQ and closing my military career at the same time," Kevin mused, recalling the symbolic experience and the live television broadcast itself was much bigger than he thought it would be.
Kevin will be retiring this year after 24 years of service. He is a survivor of Traumatic Brain Injury sustained during a 2004 deployment to Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated, sending a one-inch-by-one-inch piece of shrapnel through his nose and into his brain. Kevin lost his left eye and spent months recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Doctors told Patti her husband would spend the rest of his life in a nursing home. But after what Patti calls a miraculous recovery, the couple was able to fight successfully for Kevin to stay in the Army and return to Fort Riley.
Although it wound take more than 20 trips back and forth to Walter Reed, not an easy transition Patti said, the Walkers pulled through with the help of friends and Family.
"A lot of faith and the love that we have for each other -- most definitely -- that's what got us through," she said.
After serving in rear detachment for his unit, Kevin was promoted to first sergeant of Company A, Warrior Transition Battalion, in 2007; today he works in operations and plans, DHHB.
The Walker's visit to New York City was hosted by Hope for the Warriors, a national nonprofit organization that supports wounded U.S. service members, their Families and Families of the fallen. As part of the Hope and Morale program, the Family was treated to a six-day getaway.
They also received a personal escort from the New York Police Department to Times Square on New Year's Eve with their children, Brittany, 19, Kevin Jr., 9, and Patti's mother, Lou Shoup.
"It was a once in a lifetime event," Kevin said about his Family's first trip to "The Big Apple."
After his retirement, Kevin said he wants to stay in the area with his Family and hopes to work in a Department of Defense civilian job to continue helping Soldiers.
"I love the military. It's what I've done for the past 24 years," Kevin said. "This is home."
Patti said today Kevin is happier than he's ever been because he was able to take everything bad that happened to him and turn it into a positive outcome. Using their experiences to help others, she said, is what she loves about her job and her life.
"He's never complained about what happened; he's always been a Soldier. When people ask him, 'Are you angry about your injuries,' he always said, 'I knew what I was signing up for 24 years ago, and this is part of it, and I'm proud to be a Soldier,'" Patti said. "He's the most amazing man I've ever met -- my hero."
"It works both ways," Kevin said. "I wouldn't have been able to do it without her."
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