On May 26,2015, the San Diego Union Tribune (
visit link) ran the following story:
"FAMILY’S SACRIFICE REMEMBERED AT MOUNT SOLEDAD EVENT
Marine’s death in Iraq spurred his surgeon father, 61, to join military
By PHIL DIEHL • U-T5:05 A.M. MAY 26, 2015
MOUNT SOLEDAD — The life of Marine Lt. Nathan Krissoff, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq, and the way his father responded to that loss were the focus of this year’s Memorial Day ceremony at Mount Soledad.
“He (Krissoff) believed that the needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few,” said Marine Col. William Seely, commanding officer of Krissoff’s unit in Iraq, in his remarks at Monday’s ceremony.
Seely recalled a conversation the two officers had shortly before Krissoff’s death on Dec. 9, 2006, near Fallujah.
“He asked about my career path,” Seely said. “We talked about my family… how my wife was doing. All this while the war raged outside our base camp. He genuinely cared for everyone he came in contact with.”
Krissoff’s father, Dr. Bill Krissoff — an orthopedic surgeon in Truckee whose practice included the U.S. Olympic ski team — joined the Navy after his son’s death to use his surgical skills in military service.
He and his wife, Christine, were among several hundred people who attended Monday’s ceremony, sponsored by the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association. San Diego 6 morning news anchor Marc Bailey was master of ceremonies, and the event concluded with a flyover by the San Diego T-34 Performance Team in the “missing man” formation.
Bill Krissoff did not speak at the event, preferring the focus remain on his son.
The keynote speaker — Maj. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division based at Camp Pendleton — said the story of the Krissoff family is one every American should know.
Nicholson said he initially told 61-year-old Bill Krissoff he was too old to start a military career, but the surgeon appealed directly to President George W. Bush and soon received a Navy commission. He ended up doing two seven-month deployments, one to Iraq and one to Afghanistan, where he was involved in more than 225 trauma surgeries.
“His medical skills in combat saved the lives of Marines, Afghan soldiers and civilians,” Nicholson said.
“It’s one thing for a son to follow his father’s footsteps, but how often do you see a father follow in his son’s footsteps?” Nicholson said.
Guests at the ceremony said they were moved.
“I have family who have served in the military,” said Amber Milakovic, 24, an active-duty sailor herself, who was there with her sister Hollin Parkinson. “It’s definitely a special holiday for me.”
Friends Bob Mason of El Cajon and Mike Simmons of Lemon Grove said they’re grateful for the sacrifice of so many who have served in the Armed Forces.
“I’m honored by any of these people who join the military today,” said Mason, whose father served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
“There’s not enough people being honored for all the freedoms we take for granted every day,” said Simmons."