Norwalk soldier mentors Army hopeful

Staff Sgt. Jason Trumpower recalls the harrowing experience as though it happened a minute ago: Silence in the speakers of his helmet as his vehicle drove over a roadside bomb. Discovering the bomb had blown off his driver's feet. Getting into another vehicle, which also blew up, and suffering second- and third-degree burns on his hands and face. Being stuck in that vehicle.

That was in 2006, but the 1993 Norwalk High School graduate recalls every detail of the ordeal.

In the coming days and weeks, a much more pleasant experience will likely inhabit Trumpower's mind. For the past several days, Trumpower has mentored a Virginia high school football player who wishes to join the Army as part of the Soldier Hero program. The Virginia athlete will play in the U.S. Army's annual All-American Bowl football game, scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. It will be televised on NBC.

A feature story about Trumpower was published in Friday's Reflector. To read more, pick up a copy of that issue or subscribe to the e-paper for less than $1 per week and read it now.