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DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE December 26, 2013

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, * /" -/ / / U.S. Army Spc. Kristopher Francisco, 27, was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained after an IED was detonated under his vehicle during his 2010 deployment to Afghanistan. The 2005 Apple Valley High School graduate, who has retired from the Army, recently received a $10,000 grant from the Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund. (Photo submitted)

Local soldier on road to recovery Apple Valley graduate Kristopher Francisco, injured in Afghanistan, receives MMAF grant by Andrew Miller SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Kristopher Francisco’s 2010 deployment to Afghanistan came to an abrupt and terrifying end. While on a mission, the 2005 Apple Valley High School graduate and thenU.S. Army specialist was injured after an improvised explosive device was detonated directly beneath his vehicle. Making matters worse, he and the other soldiers came under enemy fire during the evacuation, and it was several hours before they were transported to a safe area. Even after leaving the combat zone, Francisco has had an uphill battle. He’s endured more than a dozen surgeries addressing a leg injury, and he still suffers from a traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder. Francisco, who enlisted with his older brother in

the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2009 and went on to join the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, was awarded the Purple Heart for the injuries he sustained in Afghanistan. He also received a “thank you� of sorts recently in the form of a $10,000 grant from the Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund, a nonprofit that awards grants to the state’s military personnel. “It will go a long way toward paying the bills,� Francisco, a Prior Lake resident who recently retired from the Army, said of the grant awarded Dec. 13. “It’s very humbling to be thanked for my service, and it feels really good that the people of Minnesota recognize those that serve in the military.� Since 2005, the nonprofit has awarded 15,000 grants totaling $9 million to Minnesota service

members. The levels of grants are: $500 for all Minnesota military personnel who serve in a combat zone; $2,000-$10,000 for those wounded in a combat zone, with the amount based on the severity of injury; and $5,000 to the families of those killed in combat. “Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund was founded to honor Minnesota heroes like Spc. Kristopher Francisco, who risked his life for our freedom,� said MMAF chairman Roger Sit. “Awarding (Francisco) this grant is the least we can do to thank and honor him for the sacrifices he and his family have made for our country.� More about the Minneapolis-based MMAF’s grant program is at www. mmaf.org. Email Andrew Miller at andrew.miller@ecm-inc.com.

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