2016 Wyoming Winter Weekend to Remember
Honored Warriors
HALO For Freedom Founder & Army Special Forces - Sgt. 1st Class (R) Dana Bowman
Dana Bowman has astounded the nation and the world with his drive, determination, and will to succeed. He is a retired Sergeant First Class with the U.S. Army where he was a Special Forces Soldier and a member of the U.S. Army’s elite parachute team, the Golden Knights. Dana Bowman is a double amputee. He lost his legs in an accident during the annual Golden Knights training in Yuma, Arizona, in 1994.
On February 6,1994, Bowman gained worldwide attention when he and his teammate Sgt. Jose Aguillon collided in midair during the team’s annual training.
Aguillon died instantly. Bowman’s legs were severed from his body, one above the knee and one below the knee.
Nine months later, he turned this tragedy into a triumph when he became the first double amputee to re-enlist in the United States Army. This achievement is just one example of Bowman’s many successes under adverse circumstances. Dana has been fortunate to have the opportunity to let his speeches touch so many from the physically challenged to the able-bodied. He strives to show physically challenged people can still work and excel in today’s society and military. Dana emphasizes the words amputee and uselessness are not synonymous.
Dana has given more than 400 speeches in the last few years and has been featured in magazines such as Sports Illustrated, Reader’s Digest, People and many more. There have also been numerous television programs which focused on Dana and his story. Some of the programs include: Dateline, A Current Affair, Real TV, NBC Person of the Week, Day and Date and Extra.
Dana retired from the United States Army in 1996. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in commercial aviation at the University of North Dakota in May of 2000.
Dana spends a great deal of his personal time working with other amputees and disabled or physically challenged people. As the founder and President of the HALO for Freedom Warrior Foundation Dana continues his selfless work giving back to the brave men and women that have given so much of themselves for our country. Dana jumps the "HALO for Freedom Warrior Foundation" Logo in to the many events he addresses annually and tells his audiences about our group and our cause.
On February 6,1994, Bowman gained worldwide attention when he and his teammate Sgt. Jose Aguillon collided in midair during the team’s annual training.
Aguillon died instantly. Bowman’s legs were severed from his body, one above the knee and one below the knee.
Nine months later, he turned this tragedy into a triumph when he became the first double amputee to re-enlist in the United States Army. This achievement is just one example of Bowman’s many successes under adverse circumstances. Dana has been fortunate to have the opportunity to let his speeches touch so many from the physically challenged to the able-bodied. He strives to show physically challenged people can still work and excel in today’s society and military. Dana emphasizes the words amputee and uselessness are not synonymous.
Dana has given more than 400 speeches in the last few years and has been featured in magazines such as Sports Illustrated, Reader’s Digest, People and many more. There have also been numerous television programs which focused on Dana and his story. Some of the programs include: Dateline, A Current Affair, Real TV, NBC Person of the Week, Day and Date and Extra.
Dana retired from the United States Army in 1996. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in commercial aviation at the University of North Dakota in May of 2000.
Dana spends a great deal of his personal time working with other amputees and disabled or physically challenged people. As the founder and President of the HALO for Freedom Warrior Foundation Dana continues his selfless work giving back to the brave men and women that have given so much of themselves for our country. Dana jumps the "HALO for Freedom Warrior Foundation" Logo in to the many events he addresses annually and tells his audiences about our group and our cause.
Army Special Forces - Dillon Behr
Dillon Behr from 3rd Special Forces Group 18E was very seriously injured on 6 April 2008 from multiple gunshot wounds in both the right bicep and right pelvis resulting in a destroyed femoral head and fractured acetabulum. Falling rocks from the explosions around him also caused him to suffer abdominal injuries that punctured his small bowel in several places.
After multiple surgeries he had his hip replaced five months later, continued with his daily physical and occupational therapy. While undergoing the medical evaluation board he started an internship with Operation War Fighter and the Defense Intelligence Agency. On 9 June 2010 he was medically retired and began school at Georgetown University.
Dillon graduated Georgetown with a Masters degree in Security Studies in May 2013 and has since been working full-time at a defense company called Logos Technologies near Washington DC.
He is currently engaged to Molly Just, whom he met while a patient at Walter Reed. Dillon also started and is the owner of CrossFit Walter Reed, which provides functional fitness training to wounded service-members and their families at Walter Reed
After multiple surgeries he had his hip replaced five months later, continued with his daily physical and occupational therapy. While undergoing the medical evaluation board he started an internship with Operation War Fighter and the Defense Intelligence Agency. On 9 June 2010 he was medically retired and began school at Georgetown University.
Dillon graduated Georgetown with a Masters degree in Security Studies in May 2013 and has since been working full-time at a defense company called Logos Technologies near Washington DC.
He is currently engaged to Molly Just, whom he met while a patient at Walter Reed. Dillon also started and is the owner of CrossFit Walter Reed, which provides functional fitness training to wounded service-members and their families at Walter Reed
Army - Sgt. 1st Class Jeremiah Gorsuch
Joined on 01 February 1996
Initially entered the Army as an 11B1P, Airborne Infantry and
Served with the 82D Airborne Division in 1st Brigade 3D Battalion Charlie Company 504th PIR and served special duty with the 82D Airborne Division All American Chorus. In 1999, I went to EOD School and received the MOS OF 89D, EOD. Since joining EOD, I have deployed to Baghdad, Iraq twice and Afghanistan once where I lost my right leg to an IED while clearing a route south of Jalabad, Afghanistan.
My awards include one Meritorious service medal, two bronze stars, two Purple Hearts, three Army Commendation Medals one with a V device for Valor and several other awards. My current rank is Sergeant First Class. I am currently serving with US Army Technical Detachment at Indian Head MD working in the acquisitions&procurement department as well as the research and development department for the EOD career field. I just passed my 20 year anniversary and will serve another year or two prior to retiring to a sandy beach somewhere to drink things from coconuts.
Initially entered the Army as an 11B1P, Airborne Infantry and
Served with the 82D Airborne Division in 1st Brigade 3D Battalion Charlie Company 504th PIR and served special duty with the 82D Airborne Division All American Chorus. In 1999, I went to EOD School and received the MOS OF 89D, EOD. Since joining EOD, I have deployed to Baghdad, Iraq twice and Afghanistan once where I lost my right leg to an IED while clearing a route south of Jalabad, Afghanistan.
My awards include one Meritorious service medal, two bronze stars, two Purple Hearts, three Army Commendation Medals one with a V device for Valor and several other awards. My current rank is Sergeant First Class. I am currently serving with US Army Technical Detachment at Indian Head MD working in the acquisitions&procurement department as well as the research and development department for the EOD career field. I just passed my 20 year anniversary and will serve another year or two prior to retiring to a sandy beach somewhere to drink things from coconuts.
Air Force - TSgt (Ret) Derrick Victor
Born August 27th 1980 in New Port Richey, FL. Graduated high school in 1998 and attended college on a baseball scholarship. Obtained a BS in Psychology from the University of South Florida in 2002. Begin enlisted active duty 18 May 2004 and graduated EOD School in May 2005. Deployed to Iraq in 2006 and Afghanistan 2007 and again in 2009 in which sustained the injuries ultimately forcing retirement. In between was able to complete a Master’s program in Homeland Security. Just began new career as an EOD School instructor at Eglin AFB, a position created by the AF Wounded Warrior Program and effectively retired on December 28th, 2015.
USMC - Staff Sergeant James Sides
Staff Sergeant James Sides was born on October 7, 1982 in Austin, Texas. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2001 and attended recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina, 12 March 2002. Upon graduation Private First Class Sides reported to Marine Combat Training in July 2002 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In August 2002 Private First Class Sides checked into the Marine Corps Field Artillery School located at Ft. Sill, OK.
Upon completion of Field Artillery School in September 2002, Private First Class Sides received orders to report to Tango Battery, 5th BN 11th Marine Regiment. He served as a Cannon Crewman for Gun Section 5 until the invasion of Iraq took place. In February of 2003, PFC deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom during which time he was promoted to Lance Corporal. In 2004 Corporal Sides deployed on the 15th MEU and served 4 months during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Corporal Sides was promoted to Sergeant in 2005 and deployed again on the 15th MEU with Sierra Battery, 5th BN 11th Marines as Gun Chief for Gun Section 2 in 2006.
In December 2007, Sergeant Sides made a lateral move to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Field and in January 2008 Sergeant Sides attended the Navy School Explosive Ordnance Disposal and graduated August 2008. Upon graduation he received orders to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st MAW in Okinawa, Japan. Sergeant Sides completed a 3-year tour while in Okinawa and was promoted in October of 2010 to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Staff Sergeant Sides deployed while assigned to the MWSS 172 EOD section to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10.2 from Oct 2010 to May of 2011.
In September 2011, Staff Sergeant Sides received orders and reported to 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, Camp Pendleton, California. Staff Sergeant Sides was assigned to 1st Platoon and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 12.1 from April 2012 to July of 2012.
His personal awards include (1) Purple Heart, (1) Combat Action Ribbon, (1) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 gold stars in luau of third award and combat distinguishing device, (1) Good Conduct Medal with two bronze stars in luau of third award.
Upon completion of Field Artillery School in September 2002, Private First Class Sides received orders to report to Tango Battery, 5th BN 11th Marine Regiment. He served as a Cannon Crewman for Gun Section 5 until the invasion of Iraq took place. In February of 2003, PFC deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom during which time he was promoted to Lance Corporal. In 2004 Corporal Sides deployed on the 15th MEU and served 4 months during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Corporal Sides was promoted to Sergeant in 2005 and deployed again on the 15th MEU with Sierra Battery, 5th BN 11th Marines as Gun Chief for Gun Section 2 in 2006.
In December 2007, Sergeant Sides made a lateral move to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Field and in January 2008 Sergeant Sides attended the Navy School Explosive Ordnance Disposal and graduated August 2008. Upon graduation he received orders to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st MAW in Okinawa, Japan. Sergeant Sides completed a 3-year tour while in Okinawa and was promoted in October of 2010 to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Staff Sergeant Sides deployed while assigned to the MWSS 172 EOD section to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10.2 from Oct 2010 to May of 2011.
In September 2011, Staff Sergeant Sides received orders and reported to 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, Camp Pendleton, California. Staff Sergeant Sides was assigned to 1st Platoon and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 12.1 from April 2012 to July of 2012.
His personal awards include (1) Purple Heart, (1) Combat Action Ribbon, (1) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 gold stars in luau of third award and combat distinguishing device, (1) Good Conduct Medal with two bronze stars in luau of third award.
How You Can Help
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