Vet Honored at Eisenhower High Program

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Students at Eisenhower High School in Shelby Township remembered one of their own on this Veteran's Day. There were emotional moments as a community came together to honor a graduate of the school who was wounded in Iraq.

Thursday was a special day for Alex Knapp. A choir sang during an emotional program. The principal had a tough time finding words. A mother tried to hold back tears.

800 students filled the gym and listened as the student council president described the importance of Veteran's Day.

"Since Alex returned home, he's been revered as a hero and a role model to the Eisenhower community. I think we can all agree that what Alex achieved in his short life was truly inspirational," said Student Council President Ryan Yucha.

"The students are very excited to have this opportunity to do this. They've put a lot into it. It's a very special day," said Eisenhower High School Principal Nanette Chesney.

FOX 2 first introduced Knapp to the world last December when he moved into a barrier free home in Macomb Township built by Home for Our Troops.

Army Specialist Knapp lost both legs while serving in Iraq. The Eisenhower High School graduate had 16 serious surgeries, suffered numerous complications, but as they say, the setback was a setup for a comeback.

"It makes me feel very honored to be honoring him because he's a personal hero of mine. He's inspired me to do so much in that I should never give up because he's gone through so much," said Eisenhower High School Senior Shealyn Nosal.

At the special program, you could see Alex loved people and he had a passion for living, but he died of a heart attack in October competing in a sled hockey game in Grand Rapids.

"Alex always had a smile on his face. When he woke up and realized he was alive he never looked back, and he greeted every day with a smile," said Jeannette Knapp, Alex's mother.

That's why we have Veteran's Day to honor those who gave there lives to make sure that we are safe.