Posted on 11/05/2005 10:37:15 PM PST by Former Military Chick
Imagine running 26.2 miles with a prosthetic leg, or navigating such a race in a wheelchair or a hand-crank chair. On Sunday, 35 servicemembers, wounded in the war on terror, were to compete in the New York City Marathon.
These individuals traveled to the Big Apple from military hospitals across the United States to be part of the Achilles Track Club and the Wounded Warriors Project. Both programs work with the Walter Reed Rehabilitation Program, designed to improve the quality of life for recently wounded troops.
“The whole rehabilitation model has been a sports model. The goal has been to keep the servicemember involved with the military. It fits right in,” said retired Army Capt. Jack Farley, an amputee from the Vietnam War involved with peer visiting at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.
While the marathoners are in New York, they stay for free at the Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’ and Airmen’s Club (SSMAC) located in midtown Manhattan. The club, founded in 1919, is open to active duty personnel, veterans, military cadets and military personnel of U.S. allies.
“The club will take care of them all weekend at our expense,” said Peter LeBeau, executive director of the club.
This is the third year SSMAC has hosted the athletes.
“They come to us from Walter Reed and Bethesda [Naval Hospital in Maryland], Balboa [Naval Medical Center in San Diego] and Brooke Army Medical Center [in San Antonio]. They come to compete … and they all finish,” LeBeau added.
Retired Army 1st Lt. Melissa Stockwell is one of the runners staying at the club. She will be using a hand-crank chair for the second time in the New York City Marathon.
Stockwell lost her left leg from the mid-thigh down while serving in Iraq in 2004. Since then, she has become a dedicated swimmer and has competed in many road races using a hand-crank chair.
“It’s tough — your arms feel like they are going to fall off at the end — but it’s worth it,” she said.
“They are so resilient and inspirational,” LeBeau said. “Skiing, surfing, running marathons … they don’t feel sorry for themselves.”
While they may not feel sorry for themselves, 26.2 miles is a daunting task.
Farley, 63, is an avid one-legged skier but has never tried a marathon.
“This is the first time I’ve ever contemplated anything this foolish or wonderful.… I’ll let you know which on Sunday afternoon,” he said.
God Bless our brave troops.
Definitely ditto that! I am just in awe of their courage and determination. Everytime I read something like this and know how daunting it must be for them, and yet they show this awesome courage and strength. It's just amazing. My prayers are with them and all who are in harm's way.
What amazing men and women!!
A warrior's heart still beats in each. They they are not handicapped they are just handy in different ways now.
Our military folks are just special people. Thank God for all of you! God bless. You make us so proud,and we love you every one.
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