My Inspiration: I share the following in honor of those listed herein. I do not personally know everyone below, but this is my homage to those who have driven me to action. Note: These are not the receipients of my efforts
Sgt. Ty Ziegel, USMC: Ty was 24 y/o when his truck was the target of a suicide bomber in Iraq. Ty lost his left arm, fingers on his right, part of his skull, badly burned, and suffered from severe PTSD. Ty went over a year due to a failed bureacratic system rating him at less than 20% disability through the VA, before awarding him his just and full 100%.After learning about Ty's experience back in 2008, this is when the idea to "do something" for our wounded was really planted in me, I just did not know what to do at the time.
Update: Sadly, Ty recently passed away on 26DEC2012. He inspired many through his courage to continue to face the world despite his injuries. S/F
Sgt. William "Bill" Cahir, USMC: Bill left a life of relative comfort at age "34" to join the Marines. He was serving as a reservist, but in his civilian life was a newspaper reporter and politician who decided to "do something" through his service. Bill was killed at age 40 in Afghanistan and left behind his wife who was pregnant at the time with twins. To me Bill is a perfect example of selfless service.
Stephen "Turbo" Toboz, USN-SEAL: I had the fortunate pleasure of meeting Turbo one evening through a group of mutual friends. We all had a pretty good time that evening...from what I can remember anyway. (Read between the lines here.)I did not realize until a few days later that "Turbo," was the same SEAL who fought in what has come to be known as the story of "Robert's Ridge" in Afghanistan.
Turbo was shot in the leg, refused morphine to stay in the fight, and held out for 18 hours in -20F conditions at altitude.
After the loss of his left leg, 9 months later Turbo returned to serving missions as a SEAL.
Turbo is the epitome of "never quit" and reminds me all things are possible.
David Goggins, USN-SEAL: I first learned of David back in early 2009. David started running ultras, doing triathlons, and adventure races after a number of his fellow SEALs were killed in Afghanistan. David has successfully raised over $200K through his efforts to benefit the Special Operations Warriors Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to the children of special operators who have fallen.
In 2009, I started training for the Special Operations Adventure Race, that I learned about after learning what the Special Operations Warrior Foundation was through David's story.
In May of that year I had a bad fall resulting in a plate and several screws in my ankle. Throughout the recovery process I would watch David's interviews to keep me motivated in the hopes of being able to walk properly again and eventually run.
Sgt. Jeremy Soles, USMC: I had only recently learned of Jeremy when I was forwarded a video of him and his Team X-T.R.E.M.E (Train, Rehabilitate, Empower, Motivate, Endure)Jeremy has run a full marathon with a gas mask on, and has completed a triathlon wearing such as well. He does so to benefit wounded veterans through health and wellness programs.
Learning of Jeremy's efforts were what really tipped the scales inside of me, and led me to the mountain on May 5th with my punching bag.
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