Stephen Matthew Kowalczyk was an adventurer. The Albuquerque native came to Minnesota to attend and swim at Macalester College, but left early to pursue a life of adventure that included adventures on the Alaskan tundra, Utah desert, Middle East and Louisiana bayou. On March 14th, small arms fire in Muqdadiya claimed the life of the 32-year old adventurer and school record-holder.

Following the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, Kowalczyk travelled to New York to see firsthand the devistation. The visit proved a transformative experience and led to his enrollment in the Army.

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