November 19, 2009

Throughout history, U.S. military medics have been called upon time and again to save the lives of American servicemen and women serving in harm's way. But in the case of Kortney Clemons, an Army medic serving in Iraq, his life was saved by those he was there to help.

"During a routine patrol we came across an overturned Humvee. We stopped to help but there was an IED (improvised explosive devise) nearby which exploded," said Clemons.  Three other medics were killed and Clemons lost most of his right leg. “As a medic, we teach our unit basic first aid. Some of them treated me until help arrived. They saved my life," he added.

At the U.S. Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany it was days before Clemons realized he'd lost his leg. A college football player prior to enlisting, Clemons felt his dreams of competing slipping away.

"While I was at the Brooke Army hospital in Texas I visited the U.S. Olympic training facility nearby and saw a veteran amputee running. At that moment I thought, "that's for me."

Fitted with a prosthetic leg, Clemons began the slow journey of learning how to walk again. He made contact with other soldiers suffering similar injuries and made up his mind that he would race again, which he does - and wins!

"The first step is getting back up. I kept thinking of those three guys that didn't make it. I knew I needed to try my best-if not for me, for them. I intend to work with as many disabled veterans as I can. It's important for them to realize people care about them."

Clemons added, "Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) is meeting an important need in the lives of disabled veterans. Their direct support to VA's national rehabilitative special events is a godsend."

Clemons says he likes to work on one thing at a time, and became familiar with HHV's therapeutic arts & crafts program.  "I love working on model cars provided by HHV. It relieves tension and is a great healthy way to spend some free time." He says the donors who support HHV also play a role in helping injured veterans rehabilitate. "It lets us know someone cares. That means everything to a wounded or disabled veteran."

Clemons was selected to be the recipient of the 25-millionth craft kit donated by HHV. Said HHV President & CEO Mike Lynch, "We are very pleased to be able to help veterans like Kortney Clemons, as HHV's programs & services are often inspirational, allowing a veteran to see that his or her disability is not really as limiting as they might think."