By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist 

“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand,” said Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture.

Capt. (Ret.) Matthew “Matt” D. Bacik is playing his “hand” to the fullest after losing his leg to an IED in Iraq.

Today he is a husband, father, CEO and sole owner of multi-million dollar defense contractor Bacik Group after earning the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts during three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bacik grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, playing G.I. Joe and dreamed of the days he would become a real soldier like his grandfather, Andrew Bacik, who fought in World War II with the 32nd Infantry Dixie Division in Philippines.

In third grade he set his goal for West Point. After high school, Bacik went to Marion Military Institute for one year before entering West Point in 1998.

He fell in love with Alabama, its “Southern Mystique,” culture, values and people.

Second Lt. Bacik graduated in 2002 from West Point and went to advance infantry training, earned his Ranger Tab and became Ranger qualified in April 2003.

During his first tour in Iraq he was shot twice.

Bacik was selected into a special op Ranger regiment and returned to Afghanistan as a platoon leader on direct action missions.

After his second tour, Bacik met Deborah Boroughs of Shelby County, daughter of “Big” Roy and Nancy Boroughs who live near Montevallo.

“I saw her and that was it,” said Bacik.

On July 22, 2005, Bacik was hit by the career-changing IED. After months at Walter Reed Hospital and the amputation of his leg below his knee, Bacik’s military career was over, but not his life.

Through hard work and steadfast determination, Bacik earned his MBA at Auburn, received a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg from Mayo Clinic and started his business located in Pelham.

He married Deborah and they have two daughters, Sophia, age 8, and Madeleine, age 7, “Irish twins.”

“Bacik Group provides support to DOD entities in running programs and facilities,” said Bacik. “I believe for an individual to achieve excellence, he needs to surround himself with people who are like-minded. That is what I try to do.”