One Step at a Time: A Young Marine's Story of Courage, Hope and a New Life in the NFL

Josh Bleill tells people he had "one bad day". On October 15, 2006, while on a combat patrol in Fallujah Iraq, an IED (improvised explosive device) struck Josh's Humvee. The explosion tore through the vehicle killing two of his fellow marines and severely injuring Bleill and his best friend. Josh awoke five days later with the news of the loss of his two friends and both of his legs.

 

One Step at a Time: A Young Marine's Story of Courage, Hope, and a New Life in the NFL follows his journey from his enlistment then on to active duty in Fallujah, through two years of rehab, and ultimately to his job as the community spokesman for the Indianapolis Colts. Readers will be inspired by his undying enthusiasm, infectious joy, and sense of humor. Everyone has had that "one bad day". Josh discovered that life begins when we embrace our bad days and keep going forward, one step at a time.

"The Colbert Report" To Have Author, Veteran On Show Sept. 9
An improvised explosive device ripped through the Humvee carrying Josh Bleill and his fellow Marines while on patrol in Fallujah, Iraq. Two of Bleill's friends died instantly and a third clung to life. Both of Bleill's legs were blown off - nothing would ever be the same. It took two years of rehabilitation and extensive surgeries, but in 2008 Bleill was walking on new legs and was ready to reassemble his life. The Indianapolis Colts learned of the hometown hero's remarkable journey and hired Bleill as a community spokesman. ONE STEP AT A TIME: A YOUNG MARINE'S STORY OF COURAGE, HOPE, AND A NEW LIFE IN THE NFL with co-author Mark Tabb chronicles the amazing story of Bleill's determination to adapt and overcome. Football fans and military families across the country will have their first chance to see Bleill and hear his inspirational tale when the former Marine joins Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report on Thursday, September 9 to discuss ONE STEP AT A TIME. More information about Bleill's public appearances and his book is on the official page for ONE STEP AT A TIME. If you miss Bleill on "The Colbert Report" you can catch him the following morning on September 10 on "Fox and Friends."


Blackhawks Honor War Hero, Author
Chicago Blackhawks fans will have a special treat before their game on Sun., Jan. 9 against the visiting New York Islanders. Josh Bleill, a former Marine corporal and the author of One Step At A Time, will be honored prior to the game for his bravery in Iraq and for his courage to come back from his injuries. Bleill had both of his legs blown off when an improvised explosive device tore through the Humvee that he and three other Marines were operating in Falljuah on Oct. 15, 2006. The blast severely injured Bleill and his best friend and killed two other Marines. But Bleill's drive and determination survived and his inspiring story of rebounding from his injuries to become an employee of the Indianapolis Colts is chronicled in his book One Step At A Time. Please refer to the official page for One Step At A Time to learn more about Bleill's amazing life. Fans should look for Bleill's introduction prior to the signing of the national anthem.

One Step at a Time

One Step at a Time:

A Young Marine's Story of Courage, Hope, and a New Life in the NFL

By Josh Bleill with Mark Tabb

 

CONTACT: Bill Ames, Triumph Books, 312.252.1248, b.ames@triumphbooks.com

 

Josh Bleill tells people he had "one bad day" while on combat patrol in Falljuah, Iraq, on October 15, 2006.  That day, an IED (improvised explosive device) struck his Humvee, tearing through the vehicle and killing two of his fellow marines while severely injuring Bleill and his best friend.  He awoke five days later with to learn of the catastrophic loss of his two friends and both of his legs. Recovering physically presented a great challenge, but the mental recovery was the toughest battle. For three and a half months he never left the hospital because he didn't want people to see his injured body.

 

Bleill shares the story of his own personal redemption in One Step at a Time: A Young Marine's Story of Courage, Hope, and a New Life in the NFL.  He covers the many live-changing moments he encountered, including:

 

• How his life when he traveled to Miami to watch the Colts in Super Bowl XLI
• When he realized he could no longer remain stuck in October 15, 2006
• Deciding to go forward and use his life to make a difference in the lives of others
• Changing his life by refusing to sit back and feel sorry for himself
• How he lives by the Marine phrase "adapt and overcome"

 

One Step at a Time: A Young Marine's Story of Courage, Hope, and a New Life in the NFL follows Bleill's journey from his enlistment to active duty in Fallujah, through two years of intensive rehabilitation and ultimately to his job as the community spokesman for the Indianapolis Colts.  Readers will be inspired by his undying enthusiasm, infectious joy and sense of humor.  Bleill shares his message that life begins when we embrace our bad days and keep going forward, one step at a time.

 

About the Authors:

Marine Corporal Joshua Bleill graduated from high school in Greenfield, Indiana, and attended Purdue University. He joined the Marine Corps Reserves in 2004 and was activated for a tour of duty in Iraq in 2006. He was conducting combat patrols in Fallujah on October 15 of that year when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. He suffered multiple injuries including the loss of both his legs. Bleill moved home to Indiana in August 2008 and was married to his wife, Nikki, in 2009. He recently built a home in Carmel and has joined the Indianapolis Colts as a community spokesperson.

 

Mark Tabb has authored/coauthored more than 25 books, including the New York Times No. 1 bestseller, Mistaken Identity, and A Promise to Ourselves (with Alec Baldwin). His solo titles include, Living with Less: The Upside of Downsizing YourLlife, and How Can a Good God Let Bad Things Happen? He and his wife, Valerie, live in a small town in Indiana where Mark also serves as a volunteer firefighter and fire department chaplain. Learn more at www.marktabb.com.

 

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