The night in which a bullet damaged his esophagus but missed his windpipe .
Messmer has told the story countless times , choosing to forgive his assailant -- who was 15 at the time -- but never to forget .
Since the night in which a bullet damaged his esophagus but missed his windpipe , Messmer has told the story countless times , choosing to forgive his assailant -- who was 15 at the time -- but never to forget .