Wounded troops find healing in Colo. outdoors

[Viva_La_Revolution]

ASPEN, Colo. — When Bryon Chambers stopped on a ledge halfway through the climb to catch his breath and plan his next move, everyone watching was unsure if he would continue.
But 10 minutes later, he was at the top of the pitch with a huge grin.

“It kicked my butt, but if felt good and I would do it again — not today though,” he said.

For Chambers, completing a rock climb is more than a physical accomplishment — it’s a metaphorical feat, too. A roadside bomb in Iraq injured the 20-year-old Marine Corps lance corporal in February. The driver of a light armored vehicle, he suffered a brain injury and a shattered right heel that ultimately cost him his leg from the knee down. Three others essentially walked away from the accident, but his vehicle commander, Sgt. Chad Allen, was killed on the spot.

<snip>

Chambers is spending a week in the Rockies with other recently injured Iraq war veterans as part of a program hosted by Challenge Aspen. Eighteen men are in town for the Aspen Wilderness Program, and after spending three days river rafting through Westwater Canyon on the Utah/Colorado border, they spent some time scaling rock up the Lincoln Creek valley.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/08/ap_woundedvets_070826/

[Suich]

1. I saw a story about this place on TV not too long ago.

What a great idea! Kudos to all the volunteers who make it possible!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[FreedRadical]

2. I saw this too.

It is going to be a long road to recovery for these men and women, But what a great way to work toward it.




:applause: :thumbsup: :applause: