Gail Kruzel - who credits Clark with risking his life while trying to ...

[wyldwolf]

rescue her husband, speaks for Clark...

At a rally in Nashua, New Hampshire on Sunday, more than 1,000 people came to hear Wes Clark. But only 900 made it into the auditorium before the fire code forced Clark staffers to close the doors. Those able to get inside heard Gail Kruzel - who credits Clark with risking his life while trying to rescue her husband - introduce the former four-star General.

"The crowd was going crazy before anyone got onto the stage," said Clark supporter Joseph Boyle. The audience was quiet, though, when Gail told her touching story.

Her husband, Joe, was part of the American team that helped negotiate the 1995 Bosnian peace accords. In August 1995, Joe was traveling to Sarajevo when his armored personnel carrier slipped off the side of the road.

Clark, traveling in a Humvee ahead of Kruzel's vehicle, immediately tried to help his friend. Despite the presence of land mines, Clark rappelled down the side of a steep cliff to reach the burning personnel carrier.

He was unable to save his friend, Kruzel perished along with two other U.S. officials. But Clark was able to retrieve Joe's wedding ring and return it to Gail.

Kruzel told the hushed audience that she had the ring with her, to bring her the strength to share this story with the crowd.

"Wes Clark is a man of courage and compassion and I know that he would make an amazing president," she concluded.

The crowd, clearly touched, gave Gail Kruzel an ovation and welcomed Clark to the stage with a deafening cheer. He told the crowd about his vision for an even better America and his plans for tax reform for working families, educational opportunity for every student and affordable health care access for all Americans.

http://clark04.com/story/91/

[ajacobson]

1. Richard Holbrooke's "To End a War"

has an account of the incident referred to above, in chapter one, I think. It's pretty amazing. If I remember correctly, I believe Clark was receiving small arms fire when he rapelled down to the wrecked French armored vehicle.