Gasconade County Republican

Gasconade County Sheriff Randy Esphorst addresses U.S. Marine Cpl. Todd Nicely and his wife, Crystal, on Saturday during an M1 for Vets presentation ceremony for the quadruple amputee from the war in Afghanistan.

Esphorst credited Nicely and his wife, who also served in the Marine Corps, with determination as they adjusted as a team to his new lifestyle. Nicely is one of only three quadruple amputees to survive such injuries in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

After a tour of duty in 2008 in Iraq, he was deployed to Afghanistan in the fall of 2009. On March 10, 2010, he stepped on a 40-pound improvised explosive device while leading a 12-man patrol across the bridge. The blast blew off both of his legs near the knees, his right arm above the elbow and his left above the wrist. He uses a hook for his right arm and a prosthetic hand on the left. He had intended to hunt with the Mid-Missouri Dream Hunters group, operated by Chris and Jerry Lairmore’s family at their Pigg Hollow Farm, but had undergone a surgical procedure this past week to implant a new electrical nerve stimulator in his back which allows him to control his arms. After lunch, he apologized for leaving so soon but was in obvious discomfort. Nicely was the 68th recipient of an M1 Garand from the Owensville Gun Club since the group became a participant in the national program. This was the third year the Mid-Mo Dream Hunters hosted an M1 for Vets event. “I want to thank the Dream Hunters and the Gun Club for this rifle,” said Nicely. “My wife and I are real history buffs…I’ve got a good spot for it.” Esphorst presents Nicely with his M1 Garand (right).