Wounded Warrior reflects on experiences Published Oct. 22, 2010 By Marie Vanover 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Kirtland Air Force Base's first annual Wounded Warrior luncheon was Oct. 12 at the Mountain View Club. The event, part of Wounded Warrior Month, featured Senior Airman Michael Malarsie as the guest speaker, who was injured in Afghanistan while assigned to an Army unit as a tactical air control party. Among the guests were other wounded warriors from the Albuquerque area who shared their stories with civic leaders and base attendees. Airman Malarsie spoke of the explosion that blinded him -- an explosion that injured most of the people in his group and killed four, including his partner who had gone through tech school with him. "I accepted the fact that I was blind - life goes on. When I heard about the four that were killed, I decided to live my life to the fullest to honor those that did not come home," he said. Airman Malarsie acknowledged the support he received throughout his recovery and how the support continues. "One of the things that has helped me was the support -- from complete strangers, from my unit in Kansas, to my family, to the people here - the support has been amazing," he said. Airman Malarsie encouraged everyone in the audience to help those who have been affected by the war and acknowledged his fellow wounded warriors in the audience as true heroes. The luncheon was one of three base events during Wounded Warrior Month. Earlier in the month, a golf tournament at the Tijeras Arroyo Golf Course netted the Wounded Warrior Program $1,305. On Oct. 30, Kirtland will host the first Wounded Warrior Triathlon, which will include a 5k run, 20k bike ride and 400-meter swim. Entry forms are available at www.trisportcoaching.com/upcoming-tri-sport-races/warrior10.html. Proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.