Sergeant Tony's Blog

Do you know David Rozelle?

It’s possible that you don’t. I mean, he doesn’t live here in Memphis and he’s never been on “American Idol,” “Survivor,” or “Dancing with the Stars.” But he HAS been on TV.

I met David this past weekend when I competed in the Ford Florida Half Ironman in Orlando. David was competing too. But I knew about him before I met him. I’d seen him on TV last year finishing the Hawaii Ironman. No, he didn’t win. He didn’t place. But he DID finish.

He’s not famous in the Brad Pitt / Angelina Jolie sense of celebrity. But I’d rather know him than either of them.

Let me tell you why.

He ran the Ironman 70.3 with me on his one good leg and a prosthetic device that looks like a “C,” or a scooper, on what’s left of his right leg.

Four years ago, while on patrol in Iraq, Major David Rozelle, US Army, was leading a patrol when his Humvee ran over an IED. After being rescued and medevac’ed from Iraq, he faced months of rehab trying to come to terms with the deaths of several of his men, his own wounds, the loss of his right leg, and the permanent and radical change in the rest of his life. A life that would never be the same again.

While hospitalized at Walter Reed, David fell into deep depression and chased away the demons with alcohol and pain medication, compounding his problems.

The change in Major Rozelle’s life occurred when his wife received a letter from him that he’d written two days before his injury. As he read that letter, he realized that had he died in that explosion, that letter would have been the last words from him that his wife would have had. Reading his own words to his wife got his attention and caused him “to get my act together.”

David Rozelle became the first amputee to return to the same unit he left in Iraq. The Army gave him the option to go or not. His wife told him that he HAD to go, otherwise it would haunt him for the rest of his life. So he went.

Today, Major David Rozelle is assigned to duties at the same hospital that got him back on his foot. He also runs triathlons to encourage patients at Walter Reed and to raise money for the Challenged Athlete’s Foundation, (www.challengedathletes.org) a charity that raises money to help people with physical disabilities pursue an active lifestyle through physical fitness and competitive athletics.

On this Memorial Day weekend, I hope you’ll remember the men and women like David and particularly the fallen men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to secure the liberty that you and I enjoy today.

America is the home of the free, because of the brave.

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TRIATHLON TRAINING
Wanna do a tri??
There are at least two short distance triathlons near by that would be a great first race for newbie triathletes. One is the Mighty Mite Triathlon (1/3 mile swim, 13 mile bike, 3 mile run) on July 14 at Forrest City, Arkansas. And the other is the CATS Triathlon (500 yard swim, 14 mile bike, 3 mile run) on September 16. I’ll put together a training team for one or both events.

Cost for the training is $180 for the summer training, or $75 per event.

If you’d like to become a triathlete, email me! We’ll begin training on Saturday morning, June 2.

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Congratulations to Andrew Forsdick and Jane Clark! Andrew and Jane did the Memphis in May Triathlon last weekend! Way to go guys!

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Fellow bootcamper, Kevin Jenks, who is also one of my assistants, has left the television building for a career in corporate recruiting. The former sports anchor on ABC 24/CW 30-Eyewitness News, is looking for companies who use recruiters to find and place candidates for them.
He’s working with a friend of his, who’s been recruiting for 21 years. If you or anyone you know could help Kevin, he’d greatly appreciate it. You can contact him at kevin.jenks@mcbridejenks.com or 901-218-4332.

He’s also doing some powerwashing on the side. Great rates, quality service. Free estimates, plus a name you can trust!!!!

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TO BE, OR NOT TO BE?
The 0830 class will NOT disappear for the summer!! You have spoken, and I have listened! The class will continue … at least for JUNE!!

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THE 0645 CLASS HAS RETURNED!!!
The 0645, 0830, and 5:45 PM classes follow a Monday/Wednesday/Friday “WEIGHT DAY,” and Tu/Thu “CARDIO DAY” workout schedule.

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BRING A FRIEND FOR FREE
You can bring a friend (or enemy) to BOOT CAMP for a free “try it out and see if it kills me” class. Bring ‘em on a weight day and let them experience the fun of shared misery! One day for free!

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IPOD UPDATES
Add your 10 favorite running tunes to the ongoing list on the website blog by clicking on the comments and adding your own list! You can also check to see what other Boot Campers are jamming out to when they run! http://usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/

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BLOG!
You can find this newsletter, as well as other miscellaneous thoughts and ramblings, on the blog. www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/
You can find a link to several boot camper’s company websites too. And you can even subscribe to the blog at no charge and get an email update whenever I post a new entry.

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WENT TO DISNEY WORLD!
While I was in Orlando this past weekend to run in the Ford Half Ironman Triathlon, I was supported here by Richard Bourland, Anne Emmerth, Kevin Jenks, Teri Trotter, and Jenny Morris who covered the classes that I missed. Thanks guys! Everyone says you guys kicked booty! If you’d like to know about my race, I’ll be posting the lessons learned from it on the blog.

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This is a great quote to run again!

“Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction.”
~ William James

To your continued good health and fitness!!

Sergeant Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow
USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com
http://shaklee.net/tonyludlow/main