Overcoming Adversity

Double Amputee is back on a Harley

MsMarti - — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:19:42 +0430

'I wasn’t going to let the bad guys win' Wounded Warrior gets back on motorcycle after 3 years By Cpl. Daniel Wulz | II Marine Expeditionary Force | February 12, 2013 CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- All motorcycles share similar controls regardless of style or brand. Most of them have manually operated clutches controlled by using the left handle's lever to engage or disengage the clutch and the left foot-pedal used to shift gears up and down. On the right side, both the handle's lever and the foot-pedal are used for breaking the front and rear wheels respectively. This is common...

Navy LT Snyder sets record at 2012 Paralympics

WOTN Editor — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 04:13:17 +0430

By Army SFC Tyrone C. Marshall Jr., AFPS WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2012 - The United States had the Olympic performance of Baltimore native Michael Phelps to celebrate last month, and now the nation can rejoice in the dominating performance of U.S. Paralympic swimmer Navy Lt. Bradley Snyder Snyder carried over his strong performance in June's U.S. swimming trials by setting a Paralympic record in his qualifying event here Aug. 31 for the 100-meter freestyle and earning a gold medal in the final round. "It's really crazy. ... It's really loud in here," Snyder said following his record-setting qualifying swim. "It's...

SFC Joshua Olson: From Trailblazer to Paralympics

WOTN Editor — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 19:22:18 +0430

By Army SFC Tyrone C. Marshall Jr., AFPS LONDON, Sept. 1, 2012 – A sharpshooting Army sergeant who helped to usher in an innovative prosthesis that has helped countless wounded warriors has brought his sharp eye to compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games here. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Olson, a member of the 2012 Paralympic shooting team and of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit helped to develop an advanced prosthesis for wounded service members. “[In] October 2003, I was wounded in Iraq by a rocket-propelled grenade during an ambush,” Olson said. “From there, I was medevaced to Landstuhl [Regional...

Special Forces Amputees Back in Combat Zone

MsMarti - — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:41:52 +0430

U.S. Army Major Robert Eldridge, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group executive officer, mounts a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, May 7. Eldridge was injured while on a combat patrol in Shkin, Patika province, Afghanistan, Dec 17, 2004. He was in the lead vehicle when it was struck by an anti-tank mine. Upon arriving at Forward Operating Base Salerno, his left leg was amputated in order to save his life. Sgt. Devin James Warriors stand tall in combat once again Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan Media Operations Center Story by Gunnery Sgt. Ryan...

SSG Kacer Keeps Up the Pace, Minus an Arm

WOTN Editor — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:28:20 +0430

by Cpl. Kyle Wagoner 43rd PAD COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Standing next to his starting blocks on the track he shakes out his legs and arm to get all the jitters out. Concentrating on relieving the stress and everything that’s been bothering him, he locks his feet in his block. Around his neck are two dog tags with pictures of friends he lost; reminding him of the opportunities they won’t have. “I’m running for them. They can’t compete anymore so I’m competing for them,” said Retired Army Staff Sgt. Michael Kacer, a disabled veteran athlete. Kacer, a native of Throop,...

Behind the Scenes with a Veterans Suicide Hotline Responder

MsMarti - — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:55:40 +0430

Responders at the National Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline help veterans in distress talk through their issues and lead them to the help they need. Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK. “My very first phone call was one hour and 45 minutes and it was a gentleman who wanted to blow up the central [Veterans Affairs] office in Florida and take himself with it.” Answering this call from her desk at the Canandaigua, NY call center for the National Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline, Beth Olson is much more than the “good listener” she describes herself to be. Down the phone line, her first...

SgtMaj Raymond Mackey 29 Years, 2 Legs, & Still Leading

WOTN Editor — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:01:00 +0430

Story by Lance Cpl. Chelsea Flowers, CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Sgt. Maj. Raymond Mackey has been in the Marine Corps for 29 years but will be the first to tell you he can still hang with even the youngest Marines on the basketball court. As he quickly maneuvers his wheelchair by other players to get open for a pass, puts up shots in the key and shouts directions to others on his team, it is easy to see that Mackey is a natural-born leader – as an athlete, a Marine and a Wounded Warrior. For the past two years, Mackey...

LCpl Crump Competes for Archery in Wounded Warrior Games

WOTN Editor — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:13:00 +0430

by Cpl. Lucas Vega CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - At the archery range for the 2012 Marine Corps Trials, Lance Cpl. Christopher Crump straddles the firing line on a leg that once shattered, finds his natural respiratory pause with lungs that were once collapsed, sights in on his bow with an eye that was once dangling from its socket, and speaks and writes words that he could not temporarily say and scribe, due the tragic event of Aug. 16, 2011. Crump, a field wireman with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, had recently returned from a deployment in...

100 miles for Wounded Warriors

MsMarti - — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:40:00 +0430

Written by By Army Staff Sgt. Catrina Dorsey RC-East PAO With two prosthetic knees, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jack Ursey, from Martin, Tenn., walks 100-miles for the Wounded Warriors Project, here, over the course of two and half days. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Catrina D. Dorsey, 7th MPAD) BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Sitting in his office on a make-shift bed, he has a smile on his face that would reach around the world. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jack Ursey completed his third 100-mile walk-a-thon in support of the Wounded Warrior Project, Oct. 29-31. Ursey, from Martin, Tenn., chief of...

SPC Morrison; Wounded Warrior Institutes Purple Heart Hunting

WOTN Editor — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:46:06 +0430

By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2011 - This weekend, when Army Spc. Dustin Morrison gathers with his family to celebrate the holidays, he said he knows he'll be experiencing a Christmas miracle. Iowa Army National Guard Spc. Dustin Morrison, right, pictured here with longtime friend and hunting buddy Ethan Hess, has set his sights on establishing a nonprofit hunting organization for wounded warriors. Morrison continues his own recovery from life-threatening combat injuries he'd received in Afghanistan. Courtesy photo The 21-year-old Iowa Army National Guard soldier discovered a new appreciation for what matters most in life...

Amputee sky dives with his MWD

MsMarti - — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:12:22 +0430

Never say never! "I am still rocking! For those who haven’t heard, I was blown up, with my MWD, Axe, Feb 17th of this year. I lost both of my feet, and was back to work in July." Watch this Army veteran (who is still active duty by the way) make a tandem jump with his military working dog. All I can say is WOW!!!!! Thanks Brandon for spreading the word!

SGT Dulashanti Gives a Leg in Afghanistan; Earns Black Hat

WOTN Editor — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:55:53 +0430

Face of Defense: Amputee Earns 'Sergeant, Airborne' Title By Cheryl Rodewig, 1st Infantry Division FORT BENNING, Ga., Sept. 13, 2011 - Like thousands before him, Army Sgt. Joel Dulashanti donned an Airborne instructor black hat for the first time last month, signifying his completion of a detailed certification process with 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Army Sgt. Joel Dulashanti reaches for a harness strap during training on Eubanks Field at Fort Benning, Ga., in August 2011. U.S. Army photo by Cheryl Rodewig Unlike those before him, he met the standard with a prosthetic leg, a partial knee replacement and...

Sgt Ramirez Leaves Hand in Iraq, Gives Hand in Afghanistan

WOTN Editor — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:52:17 +0430

Back to work: hand amputee deploys to set example for wounded warriors by Cpl. Benjamin Crilly RCT-8 PATROL BASE FIRES, Helmand province, Afghanistan - “The word came out that noncommissioned officers were needed as combat replacements,” said combat replacement for 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Sgt. Ricardo Ramirez. “Guys with experience who wanted to help out our brothers in Sangin.” Ramirez, a veteran of Iraq, fit the description, answered the call and volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan. His previous combat experience shows right off the bat, and is one of the first things people notice about the warrior. He only...

Cpl Todd Nicely Drives Forward after Losing both of his arms and legs

MsMarti - — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 01:30:00 +0430

Twenty-seven year old Marine Cpl Todd Nicely has again learned how to drive and passed his road test at the DMV with flying colors. To most of us that is not particularly noteworthy. However, Cpl Nicely is an amputee. Last year, Cpl Nicely was in Afghanistan, leading a patrol, when he received severe wounds from an IED. As a result he lost both arms and both legs. "For most people driving is seen as their symbol of independence, " said Occupational Therapist Pat Niewoehner. With the help from some very specialized equipment, Todd was able to re-train and is now...

Prosthesis helps Medal of Honor hero stay with Rangers

MsMarti - — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:49:49 +0430

By C. Todd Lopez WASHINGTON (Army News Service, July 12, 2011) -- "There was a little bit of a meat skirt, for lack of better words, hanging around the edges. It was oozing. I could see the radius and ulna bone sticking up maybe about half an inch." Petry re-enlists: Then-Staff Sgt. Leroy Petry re-enlists with the Rangers during a ceremony in May 2010 at Fort Lewis, Wash. Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry, who will have the Medal of Honor placed around his neck July 12, 2011, by the president of the United States, recounted the moment after his hand...

Someone Like Me by John W. Quinn

MsMarti - — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:40:00 +0430

John Quinn takes us on his life journey. A journey that is complicated by his cerebral palsy. In a well-written, intense book we follow John as he overcomes obstacle after obstacle to succeed in life as an independent person. When he decides to join the military, he was told "Uncle Sam can't use someone like you." Did that stop John? You see, the Navy didn't know that John had cerebral palsy. They only knew he couldn't pass one portion of the physical. A pivotal comment from his friend Phil was all it took to spur John on. "Funny," Phil said....

Exit Wounds by Derek McGinnis

MsMarti - — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:04:38 +0430

"A Survival Guide to pain management for returning veterans and their families" "For wounded veterans, overcoming pain is the final battle: hand-to-hand combat with an adversary we were never trained to fight. Pain can be an elusive, stubborn, and sadistic enemy. If you or a loved one has battled chronic pain, you already know this firsthand. I do, too." Exit Wounds is a straight-forward easy to read book that will help you to become more knowledgeable about pain management, it talks about becoming an advocate for yourself or someone else who is in pain, and much more! Derek McGinnis was...

Cpl Peck's Homecoming

MsMarti - — Fri, 20 May 2011 17:30:00 +0430

“I didn’t think this many people cared!” Wounded not once, but twice in two different wars, Marine Cpl John Peck came home last week to Antioch, IL and found that his country does indeed care! Cpl Peck was escorted home by the Antioch police and fire departments. Photo: LCpl John Peck Estimates say that nearly 2,000 people lined the streets of the route to Peck’s home. Flags were waving and the sound of people clapping could be heard as Peck was escorted home for his first visit since losing both legs and an arm in Afghanistan. He battled severe infection...

Sight & Legs Won't Hinder Marine Chuck Sketch's Motivation

WOTN Editor — Sun, 15 May 2011 20:32:41 +0430

Blind Marine competes in Warrior Games with the help of his family by Aquita Brown MCMWWP The Warrior Games is an annual athletic competition that allows the Wounded Warrior Regiment’s wounded, ill and injured Marines to strengthen their mind, body and spirit. Athletes from all branches of service have an opportunity to compete, fine tune their skills and build camaraderie. However, for Marine veteran Chuck Sketch it means much more than that. Chuck has the opportunity to share this experience with his fellow Marines and his father, Roger Sketch. In February 1991, Chuck joined the United States Marine Corps because,...

Recon: Conquering the Climb

MsMarti - — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:45:00 +0430

Ten wounded warriors; nineteen days in the Himalayas; one great adventure: a story of facing challenges and overcoming adversity. This video is long (27:34), but well worth the time spent as you listen to these warriors talk about overcoming their own adversity and life choices they have made.

Cpl Aaron Mankin

MsMarti - — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 01:32:48 +0430

This is an introduction video I (jucph) made for Marine Corporal Aaron Mankin. Cpl Mankin was badly wounded when engaging in Operation Matador in eastern Iraq. Cpl Mankin spoke at The Summit Business Persons' Luncheon at The Church at Pinnacle Hills on November 8, 2007. Special thanks to Cpl Mankin for his selfless service to his fellow Americans.

Martial Arts Leads to Healing for Wounded Warrior

WOTN Editor — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:23:38 +0430

Wounded Warrior Inspired by New Sport Arash Arabasadi VoA News Washington, D.C: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not your typical martial art. It combines wrestling and joint manipulation, and those who practice it say technique trumps size. But Tyler Anderson is not your typical martial artist either. For the U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, learning this new skill is just one of his life’s many challenges. When Anderson took up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, he found things were a little different from his previous wrestling experience. "When I first started doing Jiu Jitsu without a leg, the first thing that I noticed was...

MP Gives an Arm and Keeps on Fighting

WOTN Editor — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 23:59:00 +0430

MP fights adversity, fulfills Army commitment by Sgt. Jes Smith 16th MPAD KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – When faced with adversity, many people are asked if they are going to look at their glass as half-full or half-empty. The question is designed to determine if a person will look for the positives in a situation or the negatives. Spc. Ben C. Ballard is a glass-half-full kind of guy. Ballard is a military police specialist in the 202nd Military Police Company, based out of Fort Bliss, Texas. The company is assigned to the 504th Military Police Battalion, and they train Afghan Police forces...

SURFING U.S.A.

MsMarti - — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 01:16:00 +0430

Wednesday, December 22, 2010 By Sgt. Randall A. Clinton LONG BEACH, N.Y. — Tara Hutchinson smiled more than you’d expect for someone who could barely stand on a surfboard. She had wiped out more times than anyone else in the water, and yet she paddled back out for another go. The retired Army sergeant first class has spent the last four years undergoing countless surgeries after losing her leg in Iraq, and without that second limb to steady herself she was not having much luck staying on the board. Hutchinson’s surf lesson was part of a week-long program for wounded...

Breathless: Marine Still Earned Title

MsMarti - — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:04:00 +0430

Breathless: Marine medically discharged after lung collapses in boot camp returns to earn the title 11/30/2010 By Lance Cpl. Jad Sleiman, Marine Forces Reserve NEW ORLEANS-Newly minted Pfc. Matt McGuiness holds the battalion guidon during his recruit training graduation ceremony Jan. 15. Tom McGuiness NEW ORLEANS — Lance Cpl. Matt McGuiness’ lowest point wasn’t the day his left lung sprung a leak and deflated inside his chest as he waited outside a chow hall during recruit training. It wasn’t the day he watched his platoon graduate without him as he waited on an evaluation board that would eventually medically discharge...

USSF: persistent and committed

MsMarti - — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:25:00 +0430

Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan Media Operations Center Story by Tech. Sgt. Gloria Wilson 08.29.2010 CAMP MOREHEAD, Afghanistan – The average person would never guess the story behind the funny, easy-going guy with the missing teeth. Quick to smile and quick to joke, his laid-back attitude tends to put people at ease, so being asked what happened to his mouth is common. “So are you missing teeth from a bar fight or hockey accident,” asked a U.S. Navy medic upon first meeting the 3rd Special Forces Group team member with the semi-toothless grin. “Neither, I got blown...

The stuff nightmares are made of!

MsMarti - — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:12:45 +0430

The stuff nightmares are made of.......waking up and realizing that you have no leg(s). Unfortunately, this is a reality for many of our wounded warriors. One thing they are guaranteed (I believe) is a replacement limb, a prosthetic leg that will allow them to stand, to walk again. First though, they have to heal from the wounds, survive multiple surgeries and then "learn" to walk again. One Marine has taken that a step further. He wants them to have the "option" to learn to run again. Why? There was a day, around 7 years ago, when it was thought by...

Air Force wounded warrior rides from coast to coast

MsMarti - — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:15:00 +0430

by Maj. Belinda Petersen Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs 7/12/2010 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- A combat controller, who last year was laying in a hospital fighting for his life, is now riding his bicycle across America as part of his rehabilitation and to inspire other wounded warriors. Along with 19 of his teammates, Staff Sgt. Marc Esposito from the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C, is participating in the Sea to Shining Sea ride. The bike trek across America started at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and will end...

Prosthetic Feet aren't Slowing this Marine Down

MsMarti - — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:45:00 +0430

On Oct. 4, 2009 LCpl. Josh Wege was in Afghanistan. He was riding in a vehicle that was struck by an improvised explosive device. LCpl Wege received severe injuries to his lower legs and feet. In fact, his injuries were so severe that the doctor's were unable to save them. Did that slow down this Marine? Well after reading that just 44 days later Josh was up and walking a few steps on his new legs. Pretty amazing for a 19 year old young man who had just experienced a life changing injury! On Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Fox11Newsonline reports...

Navy Musician Teaches Rowing to Wounded Warriors

MsMarti - — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:45:00 +0430

By Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jesse Awalt Naval District Washington Public Affairs 06.07.2010 WASHINGTON - A military musician assigned to the U.S. Navy Band here teaches rowing to wounded warriors recovering at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick Johnson spends almost every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon motivating wounded warriors at the center's Mercy Hall. Four years ago, Chief Petty Officer Michel Curtis, also a member of the Navy Band, and Johnson, began rowing at the Capitol Rowing Club here as part of their physical training regimen. Capitol Rowing Club is a...