AllMilitary.com

Spc. Kisha Makerney
Oklahoma National Guard

Spc Kisha Makerney dreamed of a military career since she was 9. At 17, in 2002, she enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard. In 2004-2005, Spc Makerney was stationed in Iraq and served as a gunner, providing battalion security with the 120th Engineers.

A few months after Spc Makerney got home from her deployment, she was riding her new motorcycle on US 70 near Fort Towson, Oklahoma. The front tire blew, sending her motorcycle across the highway, where she was thrown into a highway sign. Finding herself in a drainage ditch, she discovered her leg had been severed below the knee. She dragged herself out of the ditch and flagged down a car. She was then airlifted to Dallas.

The members of her unit had become her best friends, her second family. As word spread, they all rushed to her beside. Then, they helped her figure out how she could stay in the military.

Spc Makerney was fitted with an artificial leg and soon learned to walk. She attended her unit’s honor ceremony on a crutch. Then, she passed the military physical evaluation and was certified for duty.

This year, she volunteered for her second tour of duty in Iraq. She is training Iraqis to become correctional officers. She accompanied by her “Cheetah” - her running blade and 2600 Oklahoma National Guard members, including her brother Spc Tommy Makerney.

Currently, she is working on her sargeant’s rank. In the future she plans to be a firefighter and plans to attend Oklahoma State University for her degree.

This is a lady with tremendous courage and fortitude. She is truly a Face of Freedom!

Oklahoma Army National Guard Spc. Kisha Makerney, who lost part of her leg in a motorcycle crash, holds her “Cheetah” artificial limb that she runs with. Shown in Iraq.

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