Lt. Col. Greg Gadson

"Gadson has served in the Army for more than 20 years as a field artillery officer, and has served in major conflicts and contingencies during the past two decades. Those conflicts include Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom,"(Creech). Who would have known that a Purple Heart holder who has served in the biggest battles in the past 20 years would become a co-captain for the 2008 New York Giants Super Bowl champions, and play the main role in the movie Battleship? Greg Gadson was a graduate from West Point Military School; he had been on their football team all four years. When in Iraq on May 7, 2007 coming back from a funnel his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb. From the giant explosion he had lost both of his legs. He later went on to be the first bilateral amputee to command an army installation, star in the movie Battleship, assume command at Fort Belvoir, receive a Purple Heart award, become director of the U.S. Army's Wounded Warrior program, and also became an honorary co- captain of the New York Giants in 2008 where they won the Super Bowl. A hero must possess bravery, persistence, and must be inspiring. Lt. Col. Greg Gadson is all of the three and more. He was brave by the way that he led many men into battle. Greg Gadson is more than a war hero; he is an inspiration to many because of his persistence, his inspiring attitude and by how brave he is.

Greg Gadson is a persistent man, who even though had both of his legs blown off by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while in Iraq he kept believing in himself and would not give up. Gadson wasn't only persistent during his recovery and journey to stardom but he was determined to succeed. "A lot of times we're afraid to try things because we're afraid to fail," he said, explaining what he had to tell himself to overcome his fear. "I'm not going to be afraid to fall. I am going to fall. That is part of my existence," (Heeter). He is persistent by the way that he kept trying to overcome his fear of falling. Another way that he was persistent is by the way that he went back into the service after he recovered from losing both his legs. He is also persistent during his rehab; he was determined to be able to walk again with prosthetic legs. Persistence is observed by when Gadson shows the way that he wouldn't give up. He continued his career in the military even after he had both of his legs blown off; he continued helping his country and was persistent. "It means more to the Giants, who have drawn upon Gadson's strength and used it as motivation in their own lives," (Glauber). The Giants were thankful to have such a strong coach come. The new assistant coach was persistent through his struggle he is told his new team to give it their all because it might be their last day. His persistent and determination helped lead the team, to win in the Championship game. Greg Gadson is a hero because of his persistence; he was able to do things most people wouldn't be able to do. His persistence was key during his recovery. Greg was persistent by the way that he keeps fighting.

Gadson is an outstanding man who serves as an inspiration to many. An example of Greg Gadson inspiring actions are the way that he had acted when no one else was looking. And by the way that he had fought through all of the battles that he had faced. "Just remember it's your mission to get better. That's your aim point," Lt. Col. Gadson said. "A lot of times, getting better is not getting back to where you were before ... that may be impossible. You've got to understand what the new better is going to be, the new normal is going to be," (Heeter). He is an inspiration to many people who had been wounded just as worse or worse he went and talked to the wounded warriors. He helped and motivationally spoke for many groups of people. But he wanted to become as normal as possible. Gadson is inspiring by the way that he had acted and tried to get better each time. Another way that Lt Col Greg Gadson is an inspiration to many is the way that he had led. "He also said Gadson can be an inspiration for the Soldiers currently in Belvoir's Warrior Transition Battalion since he is a double-amputee who has become a garrison commander,"(Creech). Many people view Gadson as a hero and as an inspiration, he is now the commanding officer at Fort Belvoir in VA. He is a motivational speaker; Greg would talk to soldiers in hospitals and their families. These are just a few ways that Lt. Col. Greg Gadson was an inspiration to many and is a hero.

(http://www.army.mil/media/226751/ ())

Greg Gadson was brave during all of his deployments and during his recovery. There are several things that define a hero; another on that can be used to describe Lt. Col. Greg Gadson is brave. "SCHWEINFURT, Germany -- One hundred twenty-nine pints of blood poured into Lt. Col. Greg Gadson's body in the single night that Soldiers, doctors and a vast team of others brought together by a roadside bomb fought together to save his life," (Heeter). Greg was a brave man when he was hit with a road side bomb he also served in desert storm and many more wars. He lost both of his legs in the bomb in Iraq in 2007. He is brave by the way that he was persistent and never gave up even when times were hard. Lt. Col. Greg Gadson is brave for several reasons; here is another reason to show how he is brave. "You're talking about an individual who has put it on the line at the highest level, understands all about execution and performance under extreme circumstances in the face of adversity, someone who has put himself in harm's way so that way may enjoy the freedoms that we take for granted every day," (Glauber). Greg Gadson is brave by the ways that he had led many men into war combats as well as putting others before himself. He is an inspiration to many people around the world as well as the New York Giants. He was brave by the way that he wouldn't let anything stand in his way. Gadson was brave under the most pressuring times, he was forced to make sure that the men under his command were safe and he was during the time of his surgery and recovery.

Greg Gadson is more than just a war hero; he is an inspiration to many because of his persistence, his inspiring attitude and by how brave he is. He should be a hero for everyone by his acts of bravery and his inspiring speeches. Lt. Col. Greg Gadson is an inspiring, brave, and persistent man they should be everyone's heroes because of all of the amazing things that he has done for our country. Lt. Col. Greg Gadson inspires me and should inspire others by the way that he never gave up and helped others. Lt. Col. Greg Gadson is my hero and should be others too.