Quotes from Kyle Carpenter

I jumped on the grenade that was thrown at myself and my friend. I don't recommend it.

I'm the same person. I got a grenade thrown at me. Situation turned out how it did. Now I'm just trying to do good things.

I was first and foremost a fellow Gamecock and friend before a Medal of Honor recipient.

Running was great for me, but there are so many positive and awesome sports out there that can help you recover.

I think for guys who get severely injured and can't move forward, it's because the 'what-ifs' absolutely destroy their recovery.

I am a retired United States Marine Corporal and I started out in 2nd Battalion Night Marines on my deployment and I finished my career in the Marine Corps at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as a patient.

Be kind and help others. Let the ones you love know you love them.

I want my story to help others see what's extraordinary in themselves.

My body was torn apart by an enemy hand grenade... upon arriving at Camp Bastion, I was labeled P.E.A. - patient expired on arrival. I flat-lined at Walter Reed.

So many of our wounded warriors from today's wars are alive not just because of remarkable advances in technology, but primarily because of the extraordinary dedication and skill of our military and our VA medical professionals.

People always assume I was in a motorcycle wreck. My response to them: no, Taliban.

Just because I'm in the spotlight - I'm actually no better than anyone else. Everyone has hard days and tough times.

I was injured by an enemy hand grenade in Afghanistan in 2010. I spent three years recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center... And through that three years, I was forced to search for the silver linings during the long dark and painful nights and days in the hospital.

I love Instagram. I like taking pictures. I've always been into that ever since cellphones had that capability.

As far as me being inspirational to other combat-wounded guys, I would say that it's the opposite. To see guys at Walter Reed that I recovered with every day and they were missing every single one of their limbs - that is what I would say is inspiring.

I remember my buddies yelling at me, and it sounded like they were a football field away, and I remember them yelling, 'You're gonna make it, you're gonna make it!' I just kept trying to tell them that I was going to die.

Scars are a truly beautiful thing. Yes, they can be a little ugly on the outside, but scars show that you're a survivor, that you made it through something, and not only did you make it through, but now you're stronger and wiser and more educated because of that tough time that you went through.

The best time of being a Marine was Afghanistan. There will never be a time when I'm sleeping in the dirt and I haven't showered in four months and I'm with 50 of the people that I'll be the closest with ever.

I'm still here and kicking and, you know, I have all my limbs so you'll never hear me complain.

I want to show people no matter what they go through there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

9/11 did not really impact me, but I remember sitting in my 6th grade math class. I remember the teachers just being in a panic and turning on our TVs and I remember the impact in the look of just disbelief and sadness and shock that was on my teacher's face.

Obviously, the line of miracles that got me to where I am is incredible.

I have two younger brothers. They are twins and their names are Bryce and Payton.

If we don't spend our time on this earth looking out for one another, what are we really doing with our lives?