June 01, 2007
Inspiring: Three Iraq Vet Amputees Compete in Sunday Triathlon
Most Americans are saddened by the physical sacrifices made by so many of our brave men and women serving in Iraq. Many return home with so many body parts missing and other physical maiming.
But it is uplifting to see so many of our recently disabled, young veterans performing amazing feats and overcoming extreme obstacles.
On Sunday, Andy Hatcher, Rich Ingram, and Melissa Stockwell--all amputee veterans of Iraq--will compete in the Accentrue Escape From Alcatraz triathlon:
Andy Hatcher ran his first marathon seven months before being deployed to Iraq in September 2004. Losing his right leg in combat three months later could have ended his running career, but Hatcher is still going strong.
Hatcher, 23, of Alexandria, Va., will compete in the Accenture Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco on Sunday. He will be part of a relay team with two other Iraq war veterans who lost limbs.Rich Ingram, 23, of Dahlonega, Ga., who lost his left arm in 2005, will bike 18 miles. Melissa Stockwell, 27, of Chicago, who lost her left leg in 2004, will swim 1 1/2 miles. Hatcher will run 8 miles.
The race worked with the Challenged Athletes Foundation to involve disabled veterans and to organize a clinic for physically challenged people on Saturday.
"When you bounce back from (losing a leg), it shows you who you are," Hatcher says. "People like CAF provide you with the opportunity to realize that life's not over." . . .
The athletes say the attitude and strength they gained while serving in Iraq helped them recover from their wounds and train.
"I don't think of myself as challenged," Ingram says. "You just go out there and have a strong mind."
Easier said than done. But very inspiring. These three amputees are more athletic than most Americans who have all of their limbs intact.
Posted by Debbie at June 1, 2007 09:46 AM
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Comments
There cannot be enough praise, respect, and admiration for our soldiers, especially those who have perished or lost limbs or were otherwise maimed in this war.
But at the point where the Iraq elections under a democratic constitution were held we did enough and it was time to go.
How about we randomly choose from the 3 branches, judicial, presidential and congressional, one person each week and chop off a limb until the last soldier is out of Iraq? That would end it, in a flash.
And for all those who maintain we still need to be there, why don't you go over yourself to prove your point?
Posted by: Happiness Pursuer ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.debbieschlussel.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 1, 2007 11:02 AM
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