Libertyville High sending wishes to wounded alum
A Libertyville High School alumnus wounded last month in Afghanistan soon will receive a box of get-well cards and gifts from the school.
About 100 cards and notes from students and staffers are included in the care package for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Krause, a 2001 Libertyville High graduate. A sweatshirt, sweatpants, and a fitted baseball cap all bearing the Libertyville High Wildcats logo, of course are headed his way, too.
The effort was organized by Sean Ferrell, co-advisor of the school's Athletes Committed to Excellence Club, of which Krause once was a member.
“I just thought it would be a good way to show him support and to thank him for all the sacrifices he's made,” Ferrell explained.
Krause, who grew up in Libertyville, played football and lacrosse at the high school, among other activities.
In recent years, he served two tours of duty in Iraq and was in his first tour in Afghanistan when he was wounded.
Krause was shot in the leg during a firefight on Nov. 14, Ferrell said. Other soldiers were wounded, too.
Treated at hospitals in Germany and Texas, Krause has since been sent home to his wife and three children in Clarksville, Tenn.
The cards and Wildcat paraphernalia will be sent to Krause in Tennessee, where he has started 12 weeks of physical rehabilitation.
Ferrell recently spoke with Krause and can report he's doing better.
“I think he's relieved to be home,” Ferrell said.