Daniel Hurt is one of 31,000 soldiers who have been wounded or disabled fighting the war in Iraq. The Greenfield High School graduate lost a leg in a Humvee explosion in 2003. Now he's come to a crossroads.

After years of fighting to save his injured left leg, Hurt decided to have it amputated as well. The change of heart is a chance for a change of life.

"It's held me back a lot," Hurt said about his injured left leg. "The quality of life is terrible. It's been real painful this year; I thought it'd be better, but it hasn't."

Army officials say it's not usual to delay an amputation. For Hurt, he's done delaying his life.

"I'm thinking of working at the V.A. and giving back and helping soldiers in need," Hurt said.

Throughout the better part of the past decade, Hurt's mindset is the same. He shared it with a national audience on CNN in 2005.

"It makes you appreciate the little things in life; a roof over your head, running water, family..."

Hurt says sometimes the pain in his left leg is so bad that he's confined to a wheelchair two days out of the week.

He's talked with other soldiers who faced the same situation, they were very happy with the amputation. No more pain, and they can walk better.

Hurt is scheduled for surgery at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., in March. The message that he wants to pass along is: no matter what you're facing, take your time when making a decision. Research it, talk about it, and let time help you make a choice.

That's how he approached this surgery, and he's looking forward to it.