Mitch Dryer was a Firefighter for the City of Oneida, NY and also a member of the New York State Air National Guard, 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock Field, Syracuse, NY. His brief career included a 2006 deployment, taking part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On April 22, 2007 he was injured when responding to a structure fire, in which the roof collapsed, causing 3rd & 4th degree burns over 20% of his body. These injuries resulted in the amputation of his right arm.

Today Mitch lives in Crested Butte, CO with his wife Aimee and their twins Daniel and Emeri. They enjoy skiing, hiking and climbing together. Mitch also volunteers with the Adaptive Sports Center and is a peer supporter for the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. Mitch has completed the Washington, D.C. Fire Fighters Burn Foundation's Burn Awareness Program, "It Happened in Second ...