As of April 2014, nearly 6,802 American troops died fighting in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The loss is immense. The impact is immeasurable. And no one knows this more than Bill Krissoff.

Bill’s son, First Lt. Nathan Krissoff of Reno, Nev., was killed in Iraq a year ago. Bill needed to find a way to honor his son. So, being an orthopedic surgeon, he made a decision that surprised the world — he enlisted in the Navy Medical Corps in the hope of being assigned to Iraq. At 61 years old, people thought he was too old to be considered, let alone sent to Iraq. After all, he was past the enlistment age limit, and getting an age waiver could take a year.

But Bill took every step he possibly could, and one day fate struck. Bill and his wife were invited to meet President Bush. At the time, the President was known for meeting with families of fallen soldiers across the country.

Check out the video below to see what happened next. There are those critics out there who think Bill is nuts for leaving a successful orthopedic practice to go to war. Bill, however, says it’s an honor.

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