John Kriesel's Book Chosen for Washington County Library Reading Program

Small talk with folks in line at the grocery store could go beyond the weather if a Washington County Library reading program gains steam.

Library officials on Thursday announced the selection for the “One County, One Book” program for January 2013. The program asks residents to read the same book.

The selection is Still Standing: The Story of Ssg. John Kriesel, by John Kriesel as told to Jim Kosmo.

Kriesel is a state representative in the Cottage Grove area until new lawmakers are sworn in (he opted not to run again during the last election). He was appointed as Anoka County's head of veterans services in May.

People will have a chance to meet the author at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury.

From a release from the county about the book:

When SSG John Kriesel lost his legs and two buddies in a roadside bomb explosion, no one expected him to survive. He died three times on the operating table. Miracles, a lot of miracles, starting with a few grunts who refused to let him die in Iraq, ripped the young warrior from the grip of death and sent him on to four hospitals, thirty-five surgeries, and months of recovery and rehabilitation. Medical miracles put his body back together, but it was an incredible confluence of angels at every step along the way that breathed life into his shattered body.

People can participate in the One County, One Book program in a variety of ways:

• Read the book. Copies are available for loan at all Washington County Library branches.
• Attend a library book club meeting. Many of the library’s book clubs will be discussing Still Standing at one of their winter meetings. Check the library’s web pages for locations, dates and times.
• Share comments on the Washington County Library’s Facebook page.

The One County, One Book project is sponsored by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

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