US Navy Seal Christopher Serle was born and raised in Media, Pennsylvania. He lived a peaceful and happy childhood, enjoying hobbies like playing with toy guns, paintballing, and being heavily involved in sports. Throughout his childhood, his grandparents helped take care of him and his siblings. Serle met his future wife and best friend, Heather, through mutual friends.
When Serle was a sophomore in high school he first realized he wanted to enlist after feeling the despair of 9/11. In May of 2008, Serle joined the US Navy serving on Seal Team 2. He especially loved the brotherhood and feeling like he was a part of something great. He went on to receive The Navy and Marine Corps commendation medal with combat “V“ for maneuvering a stand-alone weapon system under enemy fire to support teammates. Additionally, Serle was granted an early promotion to E6.
Serle was on a foot patrol with one of his best friends after a long operation when his friend stepped on an IED made of wood and homemade explosives which sent Serle flying with shrapnel hitting his body. He suffered a traumatic globe rupture of his left eye, shrapnel injuries to his right eye and tear ducts, shrapnel to his face and neck, moderate TBI, tooth avulsion, inhalation injuries, and traumatic cataract of the right eye. After the incident, Serle was intubated and transferred throughout Afghanistan until he reached Landstuhl, where he was extubated. After coming back to the USA, he faced even more surgeries primarily on his eyes.
Currently, Serle lives in Florida with his beautiful wife, Heather, his three amazing children, Knox, Kellan and Kennedy. He enjoys spending time with his family and especially taking his sons out for fishing trips. Getting involved with Serle’s community is important to him as he is involved in his local Emergency Department and connected to a nonprofit whose aim is curing a rare genetic disease NF2. He is most excited to raise his children to motivate them to keep pushing and to pursue their dreams. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has helped accommodate Serle, allowing him to make life at home much more manageable and be present with his children.
The most important thing US Navy Seal Christopher Serle would like people to know is that, in his words, “I am extremely thankful for the overwhelming support from T2T and their donors. I will continue to fight to improve every day. I hope to and look forward to helping T2T and other Veterans and First responders in the future.”
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided Serle with a specially-adapted smart home through the Smart Home Program.