Here's an amazing story.... Contributed by antimedia
...about a Major whose right foot was blown off in an IED attack, and , leading his troops.
After eight months of rehabilitation at Fort Carson, Colo., Maj. Rozelle was ready to show he was combat-ready.
"When the Army puts an officer in charge of troops, it wants to make
sure that the individual can get it done - lead them into battle and be
successful," said Maj. Rozelle, who is now administrator for the
Amputee Care Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington,
D.C.
"When I took my Oath of Office, it never mentioned giving up if I was
injured. It was my responsibility as a leader to lead from the front
and return to duty," he said.
In March 2005, almost 20 months after being injured, Maj. Rozelle found
himself in familiar territory - in Iraq and serving as commander of a
cavalry troop. He was the first troop commander to redeploy to the same
battlefield as an amputee in recent military history.
After completing his second tour in Iraq, the Major was assigned to a place where his experience could be put to good use.
Today
the major finds himself at Walter Reed doing the same thing he's always
done - leading from the front and setting the example. This time, it's
fellow amputees benefiting from Maj. Rozelle's counsel, experiences and
motivational techniques.
"I've been there," said Maj. Rozelle, who spends the bulk of his duty
day establishing programs and systems for the new Military Advanced
Training Center, which is scheduled to open this fall.
"I want to help them realize there is life after this kind of injury.
If they work hard and have the right mind set, anything is possible."
When he's not inspiring Walter Reed patients and helping complete a
state-of-the-art facility that will improve Walter Reed's capacity to
care for amputee patients, Maj. Rozelle competes in marathons and
triathlons, and also snow skis.
He's a Bronze Star with Valor recipient as well.
That's the kind of troops we have in the battle, folks. Hands down the best there are in the world.
Crossposted at .
Contributed by antimedia on June 2, 2007 at 03:59 PM in |