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Here are real American Heroes who lost limbs, or who were permanently wounded, in service to our Country. These Veteran amputees are now focused on leading a full and productive civilian life. They are not letting their military disability prevent them from persevering. Next time you feel like giving up, remember them.
- Dana Bowman
- Dana Bowman uses his prosthetic legs to Bike, Ski and Dive. He teaches school children to endure. He lost both legs on duty after two decades of military service. Another Dana Bowman article.
- Shane Parson
- Shane Parson is a veteran who lost both legs in Iraq while driving the lead vehicle on a mission. He participates in Triathalons, Skis, Dog Sleds. Shane also works with shelter Dogs and refuses to be a quitter.
- Melissa Stockwell
- Melissa Stockwell was chosen to be USA flag bearer by Team USA in Beijing. She lost her left leg while serving in Iraq. She participated in three swimming events for the US paralympic team in Beijing. Another Article. A Third Article: Jan. 25, 2009.
- Michael Fradera
- Participated in the VA's first National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic in 2008 and is now planning to tryout to compete in the 2012 Paralympics Handcycling event. Michael Fradera lost both his legs due to a bomb explosion while serving in Iraq in 2007. Another Fradera Article.
- Jeffrey Adams
- In 2004, while on patrol in Iraq, Jeffrey Adams lost almost all of his left leg to a roadside bomb. After his recuperation, he graduated from LSU and went to work in Huntsville as a mechanical engineer in defense. He also is a ski instructor for other disabled veterans. Update: This article from 2009 discusses Jeffrey Adams annual participation in the "Support Our Troops" weekend at Windham Mountain ski slopes in the Catskills of the state of New York. Adams takes a leave of absence from his job at Boeing every year to provide coaching assistance to wounded veterans who are learning to ski.
- Mary Dague
- In November 2007, Mary Dague picked up what was supposed to be a defused explosive device. Unfortunately, it was not fully defused. She lost her harm and both of her ears were also permanently damaged. She is still in the process of recovery at the time of this posting (Jan. 2009) and still has not undergone all the procedures that are required to help her be outfitted with the prosthetics that will help her function. The linked article explains more. Mary Dague is still technically in the army, but she does not know whether she will be allowed to stay in by the medical review board after she finishes the medical processes.
- Danielle Green-Byrd
- Lost part of her left arm during a grenade assault in Iraq against a checkpoint in 2004. She was left-handed. She began a civilian job in the Sports department of the Chicago Board of Education within five months of returning home. Green-Byrd also spent three years working on getting and obtaining in 2008 a master's degree in School counseling.
- Derrick Hurt
- Lost a leg to a grenade but wanted to keep the other crippled leg. He has been living on disability but he has decided that he wants to live a productive life, so he is going to have the crippled leg removed so that he can get on with his life. That's the right attitude.
- Jeremy Feldbusch
- Sergeant Feldbusch was an Army Ranger who had an inch of shrapnel tear through his skull while fighting at Haditha, Iraq. He is focused on recovering enough to get a post graduate degree.
- Javier Alvarez
- Lost his right arm because he picked up and threw a live grenade away from his platoon. Was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry.
- Josh Forbess
- One of only five survivors of a crash involving two Black Hawk helicopters in 2003 which killed 17 warriors. Josh was severely burned and suffered loss of part of his nose and many broken bones. He was kept in a medically induced coma for months. After coming out of the coma in 2004, he dedicated himself to volunteer and service work especially for wounded warriors and other veterans. In 2008, he was awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award by President George W. Bush.
- Greg Gadson
- While Serving in Baghdad, Lt. Colonel Gadson lost both his legs due to a bomb explosion. This article explains the role that Greg Gadson served in turning the N.Y. Giants NFL team from a losing team to the 2008 Super Bowl champions.
- Susan Downes
- Lost both her legs when the Humvee in which she was riding was blown up. She is now working as an administrator for a construction company and plans to study Graphic Design.
- Thomas McBride
- Was serving as a Hospital Corpsman when he was hit by mortar fire and lost his right leg.
- Michael Kacer and Earl Granville
- This is an article from Scranton, PA on Veteran's Day 2008 about two amputee veterans of the Afghanistan war who are examples of the perseverance of the brave.
- Bob Kislow and Ryan Haerer go Fishing
- This article from April 2007 describes a Bass Fishing tournament on the Potomac in which these two Wounded Warriors took part.
Reenlisters
The stories of wounded warriors who decided to go back into the fray.
