Pocono News Section

You Can Help a Soldier's Family

You Can Help a Soldier's Family - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 4:00PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 @ 04:00pm EST
MIDDLE SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY- A community group is holding a fund raiser to collect money for a marine from Monroe County.

Friends of the First Battalion holds a golf tournament every year to benefit local soldiers hurt in Iraq or Afghanistan. This weekend it will be at Hideaway Hills in Kresgeville.

One soldier it will benefit this year is Jake Knospler from Middle Smithfield Township. He was married in 2004 and just two months later was serving in Iraq for the second time.

At first he told his family he was bored. Bored until he walked into Fallujah.

Under a constant barrage of bullets and grenades, Jake saw dozens of his friends die.

Four days into the fight, he lead a mission to clear a house. When he stepped inside, a grenade ripped through his face.

But he survived.

He remembers waking up after the blast. He didn't even realize anything was wrong until he reached for his weapon.

He explained, "I just kept slapping myself looking for it 'cause I knew something was wrong - because it wasn't in my hand."

Then Jake passed out and stayed out for almost a month while doctors worked on his injuries.

His family only recognized him from his tattoos.

His wife Sheena said, ""I expected him to be totally awake with a cut on his head and then he was like totally sedated and his head was huge - and there's like a gaping hole on the side of his mouth."

Jake came out of his coma on his birthday and received a very special honor. President Bush awarded him a purple heart.

But the best present was waiting for him at home. A gift that he says helped him survive. His baby girl, Jahna was born while he was in the middle east.

He said, "I think my little girl came over - her little soul came over - and said 'Daddy no. You gotta come home and meet me."

Jahna didn't want to take any credit and proclaimed, "I don't wanna be on tv."

But she and her mom helped Jake keep his spirits up through twenty-two surgeries. He can barely see out of one eye. He has no top teeth. And most of the bones in his face are connected with metal.

Jake said, "I don't like the way I look anymore - like - I used to be pretty - and I don't consider myself pretty anymore."

But it's not his looks that cause the most concern. Doctors had to remove part of his brain and he says he hasn't been the same since.

Knospler said, "I know I'm not a very nice person sometimes - like - I'm very testy."

He also has trouble dealing with the memories of battle and his lost friends.

"It doesn't leave your mind - I mean - I think about it every day," he said.

He also thinks about his patient wife.

He laughed, "If I had to live with me I would have drove myself crazy by now."

While his injuries changed the family forever, Jacob, Sheena and Jahna will soldier on through the tough times together.

He said, "What am I supposed to do? Give up and go cry? No."

If you would like to help the family you can attend the golf tournament at Hideaway Hills Golf Club in Monroe County this weekend. Or visit to make a donation.