Profound. Take the time to listen as Scott Stephenson and his mother, Luana Schneider, tell their story. Scott was blown up in Iraq by a IED in November 2005. From their experiences, Tempered Steel Inc was born. Tempered Steel Inc. allows wounded military from the Iraq and Afghanistan to tell the stories behind the scars and wounds of war. This is not about being pro or anti-military, rather it's about those who served their country who want to share with others about being "different" and how the world around them reacts.

It's always great to see those whom you've prayed for and supported. Sgt. Scott Stephenson is interviewed starting at 3:25.

You can follow our updates about Scott starting in November 2006 when he was injured in a roadside bomb in Iraq and not expected to live even for the trip stateside. Scott's been through some major medical moments since than and bravely survived each. After over 1.5 years at Fort Sam Houston, Scott is home in Atchinson, KS attending college.

Scott Stephenson was featured in a St. Joesph News Story. Note he's finally gotten an artificial leg, though he has to work with it slowly so that he doesn't injure his stump.

Scott Stephenson is a US soldier and hero from Atchison, KS who was critically wounded in Iraq in November 2006. (Check our category link on Scott for full details of his wonderful, heart wrenching story). From time to time we update our readers on Scott's condition. Here's another update as Scott continues to thrive from all your prayers and well wishes.

Scott is now PCS'd from the Brooke Army Burn Center in Ft. Sam Houston, Texas to Ft. Leavenworth, KS. He lives with his family in Atchison, KS and goes to Ft. Leavenworth for physical therapy along with being treated at a burn center in Kansas City, MO.

Currently Scott is in Alaska enjoying the celebration of his unit's return from Iraq. It was very important for Scott to be there to greet his unit last month, and now after a bit of rest they are all back together to celebrate. Doesn't that just tell you everything you need to know about Scott? He's recovering from burns over 70% of his body and the loss of his leg and Scott wants to welcome his comrades home.

The Army Times carried a story about Scott in November (originally written by a Kansas City Star reporter, almost 1 year to the date from when Scott's Humvee hit a road side bomb. Included in the story is Scott's first return to Alaska to greet his returning unit.

The image above is Scott being presented Alaska State Flag flown on Dec. 7th of this year by Mr. Phillip Klass, as well as coins from the Alaska correctional facility, which Mr. Klaas had personalized with the word heroism, specifically for Scott. It was very moving considering he had never met Scott before today. He had just read his story (KC Star article that was picked up by the AP) and wanted to do something for him. Pretty cool and amazing.

For Leavenworth County, KS Residents:

Here's your opportunity to meet Spc. Scott Stephenson, an Atchison soldier critically injured in Iraq over Thanksgiving weekend 2006.

Scott has been PCS'd from Ft. Sam Houston, Texas where he has spent the last 1 year being treated for his severe burns and other injuries to Ft. Leavenworth, KS where he will continue his rehabilitation.

On Sunday, December 9, 2007 an informal reception will be held for Scott at Condotel Club House, 801 W. Eisenhower Rd., Lansing, KS from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Coffee and cookies will be served. This is a time for the community to thank Scott for his service, meet a really mature young man who has an awesome prospective on life and give him love and courage for the still long road ahead.

This will also be a time for Scott to meet some of the numerous members in our community who prayed for him and his family; while we, the community, witness the wonders of pray.

The Kansas City Star reporter Lee Kavanaugh interviewed Scott Stephenson, critically injured in the Iraq war, while he was home on a 30 day leave recently.

Don't forget to read My Son and I for updates on Scott Stephenson.

Many different things going on, some ups, some downs but as always, a brave soldier with a wonderful sense of humor. Scotty should be PCS'd to Ft. Leavenworth by the end of November. He's also traveling to Alaska to greet his comrades returning from Iraq. With all that Scotty has been through and yet meeting his friends coming home remains at the top of his list.

Continue to pray that military doctors will continue new discoveries to treat our wounded heroes. So many have such devastating injuries and yet medical science is meeting many needs.

Speaking of meeting needs, you can't possibly understand what your cards and letters and posts of encouragement mean to these men. Remember, they too get stuck hearing the MSM constantly making biased and untrue statements, putting down the US military and not supporting their mission. Our soldiers need to hear that We the People support and love them. Regardless of political beliefs, these men are doing what their country asked of them; for that they deserve honor and a hero's welcome.

Scott Stephenson came home to KS for the first time since he was critically wounded in Iraq in Nov. 2006. He was burned over 90% of his body and given less than a 5% chance to live when he arrived at Landstuhl, of course this was better than the 2% the Iraq medics gave him. Then he had 3 stokes in reaction to medication they gave him at Ft. Sam Houston. At Christmas time the doctors again thought Scott wouldn't pull through and performed an emergency surgery to remove his foot due to severe infections it was causing the rest of his body. He now has a 30 day leave from the Ft. Sam Houston Burn Center. Mom is going to try to find care for him here in hopes that the military will PCS him back to KS.

What a home coming! All the KC TV stations were there along with one newspaper. When the regular people in the airport saw him they stood and clapped - of course we (family and friends) were already cheering. When all the hugging and interviews got done, the crowds still stood and clapped as he came by.

Tonight and tomorrow are big days for Scotty too since Atchison, the city that is home, is having a festival and Scotty is guest of honor. Story and Video Story and Video

By MARY MEYERS
Reporter

Preparations to widen the celebratory scope this weekend are underway as family, friends and patriots pay tribute and welcome home Spc. Robert "Scott" Stephenson.

Despite sketchy details, Luana Schneider, Spc. Stephenson's mother, said she expects her son to arrive sometime Friday.

Spc. Stephenson will come home on a 30-day convalescent leave until Sunday, Aug. 19.

The homecoming marks Spc. Stephenson's first visit since he was critically injured in wake of a improvised explosive device blast on Nov. 25, 2006, while on patrol near Iskandariyah, Iraq, about 25 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq.

Jacque Pregont, Amelia Earhart Festival coordinator, said Spc. Stephenson will be recognized throughout the Amelia Earhart Festival this weekend.

"The national anthem scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday to kickoff the LakeFest event at Warnock Lake will be dedicated to him," Mrs. Pregont said.

Brother and sister duo, Durell Anthony and Diamond Anthony Howell, will perform "The Star Spangled Banner."

Spc. Stephenson, Mr. Anthony and Mrs. Howell are all Atchison High School graduates.

On Tuesday, it remained unknown whether Spc. Stephenson would attend LakeFest because of his travel schedule, Mrs. Pregont said.

However, she said if he makes it, there will an announcement.

"There will be a designated place for him on Saturday," Mrs. Pregont said of events scheduled along the riverfront.

"If he is able," she added.

According to an e-mail correspondence to the Globe from Mrs. Schneider, since her son's injury he has suffered three strokes. He was initially transferred to Landstuhl, Germany, and then to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, where he has remained since Nov. 28.

"Subsequently, he has had to have his left foot removed and has had four major skin grafts and a multitude of surgeries with more to come," Mrs. Schneider wrote, adding her son was in an ICU for seven weeks and the burn ward for an additional three months.

Since April 20, Spc. Stephenson has been on outpatient status and attends physical and occupational therapy sessions daily.

While in Atchison, Spc. Stephenson expects to continue his physical and occupational therapy in St. Joseph, Mo., and explore a transfer to Fort Leavenworth, Mrs. Schneider added.

A savings account to assist Spc. Stephenson through his ordeal has been established at the Bank of Atchison.

Cheryl Lanter, a bank representative, said donations will be accepted by mail, in the bank lobby or drive-thru at 701 Kansas Ave. Receipts will be distributed respectively.

Spc. Stephenson was ceremoniously presented the Purple Heart last spring in Texas. Family and friends were on hand to mark the occasion.

Spc. Stephenson was in the right rear passenger seat of a Humvee when the IED impacted the vehicle, Mrs. Schneider wrote. The IED was a 155 artillery rounds with 10 gallons of gasoline as an accelerant.

Spc. Stephenson bore the brunt of the explosion, which doused him in diesel fuel and gasoline and ignited the fuel tank.

It's been a long road for Scott Stephenson, severely injured by a road side bomb in Iraq over Thanksgiving weekend in 2006. He was burned over almost 90% of his body and ended up losing his foot. He has very limited use on one arm, but the limited use he's regained gives hope that more can be done.

Good news, Scott gets a 30 day leave from the hospital at Ft. Sam Houston and will fly into MCI in Kansas City, MO on July 20, 2007. His home is in Atchison, KS. Mom is still awaiting flight details.

The Valley Falls/Nortonville motorcycle group who did a fund raiser for Scott in the spring is planning to escort Scott and Mom home from the airport.