Photos: Injured vet moves forward as UA student
- Updated
Brian Kolfage is an Iraqi war veteran who was severely injured on September 11, 2004, by an IED. He lost both legs and his right arm. Kolfage, a senior airman in the USAF, underwent 16 surgeries. He has become a national motivational speaker primarily for severely wounded veterans. He now lives in Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona architect student Brian Kolfage, left, talks things over with his professor, Chris Trumble at the college Feb. 1, 2013. Kolfage is an Iraqi war veteran who was severely injured on September 11, 2004, by an IED. He lost both legs and his right arm. Kolfage, a senior airman in the USAF, underwent 16 surgeries. He has become a national motivational speaker primarily for severely wounded veterans. He now lives in Tucson, Ariz.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Brian Kolfage, a University of Arizona architect student, sits with his wife Ashley and two of their three dogs, Aspen, foreground, and Tinker Bell in their living room Feb. 14, 2013. She is a second grade teacher at Canyon View Elementary School. The couple are expecting their first child on August 22. Kolfage is an Air Force veteran who was wounded in Iraq losing two legs and an arm. He is a national motivational speaker, primarily for wounded veterans who have lost limbs or other major wounds from the war.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Brian Kolfage, a University of Arizona architect student, explains how he is able to drive his Land Rover using a specially modified device that allows him to control his speed and the brakes with his left hand. Feb. 14, 2013.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
USAF senior airman Brian Kolfage receives a purple heart on September 11, 2004 in Balad, Iraq hours after he sustained his wounds. "They didn't think I was going to live so they gave it to me while I was still alive," according to Kolfage. He lost both his legs and his right arm in an explosion. Photo courtesy of Brian Kolfage.
- Submitted Photo
03/09/05 - WASHINGTON DC - Senior Airman Brian Kolfage works on a balance exercise at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC. Kolfage was severely wounded by a mortar on September 11, 2004 at Balad Airbase in Iraq. PHOTO LG FRANCIS/AIR FORCE TIMES
- Submitted Photo LG FRANCIS
President George W. Bush stands next to USAF senior airman Brian Kolfage who was seriously wounded on September 11, 2004, in Balad, Iraq. They were photographed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Christmas 2004. He lost both his legs and his right arm in an explosion. Photo courtesy of Brian Kolfage.
- Submitted Photo
University of Arizona architect student Brian Kolfage, left, talks things over with his professor, Chris Trumble at the college Feb. 1, 2013. Kolfage is an Iraqi war veteran who was severely injured on September 11, 2004, by an IED. He lost both legs and his right arm. Kolfage, a senior airman in the USAF, underwent 16 surgeries. He has become a national motivational speaker primarily for severely wounded veterans. He now lives in Tucson, Ariz.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona architect student Brian Kolfage talks about his life as a student Feb. 1, 2013, after serving in the US Air Force as a senior airman.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona architect student Brian Kolfage talks about his life as a student Feb. 1, 2013, after serving in the US Air Force as a senior airman.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
This is the sticker University of Arizona architect student Brian Kolfage keeps on the back of his wheelchair. Feb. 1, 2013.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Brian Kolfage, a University of Arizona architect student, sits with his wife Ashley and two of their three dogs, Aspen, foreground, and Tinker Bell in their living room Feb. 14, 2013. She is a second grade teacher at Canyon View Elementary School. The couple are expecting their first child on August 22. Kolfage is an Air Force veteran who was wounded in Iraq losing two legs and an arm. He is a national motivational speaker, primarily for wounded veterans who have lost limbs or other major wounds from the war.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Brian Kolfage , a University of Arizona architect student, puts in long hours even at home as he works on a project due the following day while in his living room. Feb. 14, 2013.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Brian Kolfage, a University of Arizona architect student, explains how he is able to drive his Land Rover using a specially modified device that allows him to control his speed and the brakes with his left hand. Feb. 14, 2013.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
USAF senior airman Brian Kolfage receives a purple heart on September 11, 2004 in Balad, Iraq hours after he sustained his wounds. "They didn't think I was going to live so they gave it to me while I was still alive," according to Kolfage. He lost both his legs and his right arm in an explosion. Photo courtesy of Brian Kolfage.
- Submitted Photo
03/09/05 - WASHINGTON DC - Senior Airman Brian Kolfage works on a balance exercise at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC. Kolfage was severely wounded by a mortar on September 11, 2004 at Balad Airbase in Iraq. PHOTO LG FRANCIS/AIR FORCE TIMES
- Submitted Photo LG FRANCIS
President George W. Bush stands next to USAF senior airman Brian Kolfage who was seriously wounded on September 11, 2004, in Balad, Iraq. They were photographed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Christmas 2004. He lost both his legs and his right arm in an explosion. Photo courtesy of Brian Kolfage.
- Submitted Photo
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You can't help but notice Brian Kolfage Jr.'s prostheses when you meet him.
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