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Christopher Lee / Getty Images Europe
Lt. Brad Snyder, blinded in Afghanistan after stepping on an IED, spent his first "Alive Day" winning gold at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
One year to the day after Lt. Brad Snyder lost his vision to a bomb explosion in Afghanistan, he swam ferociously across a pool. Then he stood atop a podium at the London Paralympics, wore gold around his neck and beamed to the national anthem, savoring the moment but seeing none of it.
Exactly eight years after Tammy Duckworth lost her legs to a rocket-propelled grenade in Iraq, she met the Army medic who revived her inside a mangled helicopter. Amid that reunion, she had an extra reason to smile: Six days before, Duckworth had won a seat in the U.S. Congress.
During the otherwise dark anniversaries of their devastating combat injuries, both veterans chose to cherish the warm light of survival on what has come to be known, throughout the military, as “Alive Day.”
Their numbers are growing more slowly though still rising: Seventy American service members were wounded in Afghanistan during December, according to new Department of Defense figures. That made 2012 the third-bloodiest year of that war in terms of the tally of U.S. troops hurt in action — 2,951.
“Choice — that word means a lot here,” said Snyder, 28, a former Navy bomb-disposal expert. “‘Choice’ puts everything on a level playing field. Each of us faces a plethora of daily choices — when to get up, what to eat for breakfast, what to say to your family before leaving for work. You can choose to be positive. Or you can choose to be a victim.
“You can choose to move forward with grace. Or you can choose to succumb to negativity.”
How Snyder capped his initial Alive Day made some people cry, including his mother who watched from poolside. It made thousands more cheer at London’s Olympic Aquatics Centre. Twelve months after stepping on an IED, he dove blindly into water for the 400-meter freestyle Paralympics final. He won by nearly six seconds — an eternity in competitive racing.
Lt. Brad Snyder lost his sight in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2011. In September, the Navy officer once again represented the U.S., this time at the London 2012 Paralympics.
“Every (survivor of severe combat wounds) flirts potentially with a much more dismal outcome,” said Snyder, one of more than 50,000 U.S. troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. “To be in a situation where you can still do something great, that’s the way I look at Alive Day.”
But the concept isn’t an easy mental fit for every disabled veteran, admitted Snyder, who lives in Baltimore and who will remain a Naval officer for a while longer. During a recent public-speaking event, he chatted with former service members and discovered that “some of them just don’t even acknowledge Alive Day exists. Some look at this as a day when they only wear black, mope around and think about how miserable they want to be.”
The notion of trying to transform the anniversary of a nearly-fatal battle injury into an annual day of triumph was hatched before the Vietnam War, said Dr. Sydney Savion, a retired military officer, applied behavioral scientist and author of “Camouflage to Pinstripes: Learning to Thrive in Civilian Culture.” She is based in Texas.
Alive Day, Savion said, is “on some level, mind over matter." But she believes the concept serves as an effective mental-health salve and can be part of a path to lasting recovery.
“One of the most important things a veteran can learn to do in life is to reframe negative events that have happened to them. This is not to deny the close escape from death or the permanent wounds, sanitize them or hide them,” Savion said. “Instead, look at them like creating a piece of art. Michaelangelo once said, ‘I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set it free.’ Even the ugliest events, when looked at with fresh eyes, (can carry) newfound meaning, opportunities and answers.”
Many veterans try, through reunions, phone calls, emails and letters, to retain the tight camaraderie they formed with their unit buddies. Alive Day, Savion added, offers another way “to rekindle that connection.”
“If things are going to turn out well for any veteran, one thing (that) is paramount is redefining who one is and repurposing one’s life,” she said. “One must mentally and emotionally surrender the old situation and experiment with new ways of being, doing, (and) thinking.”
Duckworth, a former Army chopper pilot, this week took that advice to Capitol Hill. In her second bid for Congress, she won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 6, serving the suburbs north of Chicago. She was sworn in Thursday.
Getty Images
Newly elected Congressional freshmen Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., arrives to pose for a class picture with other new members of the 113th Congress on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 15, 2012, in Washington D.C.
The Monday after her election victory — her most recent Alive Day — Duckworth met the man who pulled her back to consciousness after she and her co-pilot managed to land their damaged, smoking Black Hawk helicopter in 2004.
“I don’t remember being in the ER. I just met the flight medic who revived me in the helicopter. We just spent Alive Day together,” Duckworth told NBC News in a recent interview. “He said, ‘You looked up at me. You were completely calm.’ ”
Duckworth often spends her Alive Day with the five men who were aboard the chopper with her in 2004 as they skimmed treetops in Iraq at about 135 miles per hour. The group has sometimes gathered in St. Louis. She sees that anniversary, she said, as a “celebration” — and a moment when she can show appreciation to those who helped save her life.
But Alive Day also provides veterans with a unique bond, she added. After a photo shoot of Congressional freshmen snapped last November, Duckworth met a new lawmaker from California, Paul Cook, who was wounded in Vietnam.
“There’s a subset of us who have seen combat action,” Duckworth said. “That’s the reason I was able to talk to this man. He started talking about walking into a trip wire in Vietnam and wanted to know what hit me, what that was like.’ When you’ve actually not just been deployed, when you’ve both seen combat action, you have this common place.”
Duckworth’s 2013 Alive Day likely will be spent in the House of Representatives. It falls on a Tuesday.
Snyder’s 2013 Alive Day comes on a Saturday. He has resolved to “raise the bar” on the feat he pulled off last Sept. 7. But he knows that will not be easy.
“I want to do something that’s more outstanding or more ridiculous,” Snyder said. “Maybe I’ll climb a mountain or jump out of an aircraft. We’ll see. Certainly, it will be a day about moving forward. I’ll try to make the most of the fact that I’m still here. I’ll enjoy life to its fullest. That’s something I try to do every day — but especially on that day.”
Archival video: Lt. Brad Snyder, blinded by an IED explosion in Afghanistan, is now training for the London 2012 Paralympics.
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Amazing people not letting their injuries stop them from reaching their goals, we can all take a lesson from them!
As a Country we need to take a lesson and stop the carnage. Seventy more wounded in December is 70 too many. Obama should have gotten us out of that hellhole 4 years ago. Why does this Country insist on sacrificing our best people to support a dictator. We should have never been there or in Iraq. We have paid trillions and will pay hundreds of billions more for what. Iraq is now Irans closest ally and Afghanistan is now the USA's largest heroin supplier.
Isn't tens of thousands dead and wounded enough. I commend our servicemen and woman but deplore our leadership for getting us into useless wars. At least Obama was smart enough to let other Countries lead in Libya and Syria.
mariannayes992: Take your stupid greedy fake advertisement down the road. Nobody wants to read it and this is a wholly inappropriate and disrespectful place to put it.
Too bad you didn't learn a damn thing in your elementary school history class. If you had paid attention, you would have learned that there is difference between "Americans" and U.S. Citizens.
By the way, it was so nice of your own ancestors to invade my country and illegally occupy it. What's that? You say they didn't do that? Well, my ancestors sure as hell didn't invite them.....
Hey The Quacked One
Learn YOUR OWN history amigo. Mexico SOLD the land that was not lost in war. SO, obey your own countries law and honor the agreement. Or go back and make your own country great instead of enjoying ours and complaining about it.
When a country wins a war USUALLY they keep the land or some spoils. Unless they are the US, we SHOULD have kept Okinwawa, a base in the Philipines, a base in Germany, and a base in India as they would STILL be under British rule if it wern't for us (US).
The REAL Disabled Veterans.
What, only combat-injured veterans can be "disabled" now?
"The REAL Disabled Veterans."
What on earth is that supposed to mean?
Hey Quacked One, you are portraying yourself as A MAJOR DUMBS@#T!!! And an @!$%#! As an American, l offer ALL our military(active, retired, disabled, deceased) with the most RESPECT and HONOR they deserve. You sit here in the USA with the freedom of speech to bash these extaordinary people. Why don't you earn a little humility and join one of our military branches. Oh wait...that would require you get up out of you chair and actuall work at something. To all of our military personal, l pray for you all. GOD bless each and all.
Hey look, the guy using profanity and making accusations about someone he knows absolutely nothing about is also a Christian, whoulda thunk?
Engelbrect59 and Curious Jason... Both of you guys need to think before you comment... EB59, you're assuming that everyone agrees that America being in Afganestan, Iraq, etc., is morally right. While I do honor the dedication of the soldiers, I do not honor the wars that America is getting into or, I should say, perpetuating which is actually more the truth. For me and millions of other Americans we do not agree that it is patriotic to support America's involvement in these wars, even though we do support the men and women who believe they're doing the right thing to get involved.
Curious... Please don't equate "God bless you" coming out of that man's mouth with being Christian. Many people believe in God, including Jews, who mostly are not Christians. I am a Christian but am opposed to the way Engelbrect believes politically and to how he handles himself other ways. He's obviously of the "good ol'e boy" mentality... that does not make him a Christian.
They have earned the right to recognize the day in any way that they see fit. These people are a model of perseverance.
Hear! Hear!
This Alive Day should be very meaningful indeed now that Joe Walsh, isn't there to call Tammy Duckworth vile names and demean her courage and valor. She is a very gracious lady who has sacrificed so much for her country and had to be called such terrible things from a man,(I use the term loosely), whose only service to this country was dis-service.
Now if we could just get Congress and Mr. Boehner to keep their greedy eyes and money-grubbing hands off all Veterans Benefits, all the while pretending to be loyal Americans. When these talking rectums say they support the troops and then try to cut off the money to help those who have kept their sorry butts healthy is beyond the pale. Lets drop these guys into a hot LZ and see what they have to say
NEC ASPERA TERRENT
Boy, I wish everyone felt as you do, especially the Politicians. So many Scoundrels and Fair Weather Friends.
Soooo True!
Semper Fidelis!
NFOE.
WOLFHOUND: you said it all brother vet!!
I am just going to say AMEN and thank GOD we are alive.
Every day we are alive is alive day, but we only get so many of them, then no more. ever again. And no, there is no magical fantasy world that we live in after we are dead, we simply cease to exist. We are nothing but advanced pond scum and our lives and the lives of our children are no more significant than the life of a weed growing in the ditch and its offspring. Be good to your fellow humans and try to enjoy your life as much as possible, but don't get too hung up on it, it's only temporary.
By your own reckoning Leroy Brown, I would say that you shoul d get totally hung up on it because if this is all we have, then it is critical that we make the most of it and be a positive force for good in the world so that future generations will not have to suffer the slings and arrows of misfortune.
Once a Day is gone you can never get it back.
Now if the Politicians can keep their Greedy Hands off of the Benefits they promised Veterans they can live out their lives in Peace, A Peace they Sacrificed for.
Real Skin in the Game!
Alive is all we are with the Military throwing them out with any signs of PTSD or wounds, and a VA turning down thier claims and claims back up by millions waiting. The Government cutting the the cost of living for Military. Military Retired and Veterans, and at the same time raising the healthcare for Military Retired high trying to force the service member and families off of it. At the same time cutting Military pays, and ending Military retirement. Not counting wanting to close the excahnge services the fund such things as clubs, gyms, bowling and of things on Military Bases.
" Not counting wanting to close the excahnge services the fund such things as clubs, gyms, bowling and of things on Military Bases."
Exchange Services on base/post DO take care of the clubs but as for the gyms, bowling alleys, and those buildings pertaining to fitness and health care are usually run by MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation). Still, I agree with you MikeP and I'm frightened at even the possibility of veterans getting screwed by the very government it is sworn to protect.
Mike, l agree. What really burns my butt is the fact that illegal immigrants are taken care of better than our military! l work in a local health care fascility and l see it EVERY DAY!! The uninsured immigrarnt comes in, decked out in more gold jewelry than l own, and gets FREE health care. A homeless vet comes in, no jewelry, and is escorted 150 miles away to a VA hospital that is over worked, understaffed and overflowing; this vet is then released to fend for him/herself because there is 'no more room'. This is a travisty that happens everyday. And our government wants to cut military budget!!? l have suggestions for cuts but our leaders wont listen.
Seven comments on a Saturday night. America is putting its stupor on. So, how many flights over there and back will it take to get them all home now? John Travolta, if you wouldn't mind...? Diplomacy has failed. Politicians continue to prop up what has borne out to be a corrupt government. No, not this one - the other one. More of our military have been killed in the last 4 years than the prior six and must bide their time until they neatly 'fit into a timetable'. If they live, it will be another day in the life of the 'political power play'. So, what now humanitarians, women's right's activists, coexistors in the one world order and avengers of freedom? Keep them in Afghanistan until they can fight again elsewhere - for the UN? Such tearful sorrow for the children of Newtown. Flags at half mast. No tears for soldiers and their families who - like other Americans - wait for leadership that's too busy planning another coronation and sharpening its tongue. Just hold on already - your government has money to spend! It's politics. Let your mothers cry for you, before we bring you back to send you off again.
Cute.
I am a retired vet.
No one but ME sent me off.
I volunteered.
And so did everyone else since 1973.
Viewer - You misread.
Hey Viewer Ready, have you ever heard of Stop Loss?????
All unemployed vets, especially those who were wounded and impaired should get free public junior college education if they want it. If their grades are good enough and they want a BS or BA, they deserve another two years at a 4-year public university free including room and board. If we can't fund free education for those who protected us with their lives and many with lost limbs, we are no longer the USA that treated its WWII veterans with this much respect, honor and dignity.
I AGREE!!!
Sadly, that respect for WW2 vets died with them. The government looks upon Vietnam Vets with Disdain, as did the populace. What a travesty. Now the government is abandoning the new Vets from Iraq and Afghanistan. At least these guys returning home aren't spit on..
The government should not be allowed to start any more military actions (Wars) until they learn how to deal with the collateral damage they are producing.
Good for them.
The ones I worry most about are those yanked from careers and sent home to the unemployment lines.
And the suicide rates.
All done for political gain.
The unsung hero's you may never hear about.
I "survived" too.
But I got to retire.
BigBearcat bill they do get a college edu. thru VA Rehab as long as they apply for the benfits and most have the GI BILL as well. The biggest issues is getting to college that has the support systems in place to help them succeed. I know this because I am a disabled vet myself and they are helping me with college.
"They" shouldn't have to apply for the benefits they qualify for. If you were not a combat-injured veteran, do you think the VA would bend over backwards to help you with college?
I am a veteran, too, but because I was not sent into combat I am somehow "less important" than you?
Thank you for your service Ruth.
I hope your endeavours work out well for you.
I am always encouraged by stories about these men and women who celebrate their Alive Day. It shows a new attitude by them, as well as by America, towards the American veterans who are surviving combat wounds. One more life lost would have been tragic; Every life brought back to us and to their families is a blessing, and an honor to the ultimate sacrifice made by others. Not one person buried in Arlington would have wished that another U.S. military life be lost along with them, especially if it was someone they knew. The physical struggles these wounded veterans have faced are more than most of us could imagine, and yet God knew they had it in them to accept the challenge. They still show the strength of warriors as they fight their physical (and emotional) scars and prove to the world that by injuring and killing Americans, you will not kill America.
With your permission, I want to circulate this to my veteran friends.
What you just posted was very profound.
I would be HONORED !!
Thank you, it's a done deal.
This message is a reply from a person on a news forum that I frequent. I found it true and profound and want to pass it along to all friends and veterans .
The subject on the news thread was "Alive Day". the day wounded Vets who survived tell their stories and try to stay alive.
It is an honor for me to send this out.
I am always encouraged by stories about these men and women who celebrate their Alive Day. It shows a new attitude by them, as well as by America, towards the American veterans who are surviving combat wounds. One more life lost would have been tragic; Every life brought back to us and to their families is a blessing, and an honor to the ultimate sacrifice made by others. Not one person buried in Arlington would have wished that another U.S. military life be lost along with them, especially if it was someone they knew. The physical struggles these wounded veterans have faced are more than most of us could imagine, and yet God knew they had it in them to accept the challenge. They still show the strength of warriors as they fight their physical (and emotional) scars and prove to the world that by injuring and killing Americans, you will not kill America.
Viewer _Ready, I am a life time member of the DAV and there are many benefits that most Disabled Veterans don't know about from the DAV. Once joined, you can go to the members only section and get a "pin" number. What the pin # does, is lets you get a discount from Ford Motor CO for a new vehicle (i think a discount for used vehicles also). Power Net Global is a long distance service that is really inexpensive, they donate a portion of your phone bill every month to the DAV. I encourage Disabled Veterans to join the DAV, it helps to have someone that was hurt also to talk with. Oh and I almost forgot, Ford donates the vehicles that the DAV uses to get veterans to the VA or other appointments.
When will the US media devote similar attention to the victims of these "heroes"? Those victims suffer silently without the lavish care and support available in the USA.
Those people were not in the sense of the word, "victims" they were casualties of a war that their own government could have avoided.
Just like in the drone attacks to this day.
If you hover around the bad guy, you die.
Sad, but this is what it is, and it is what it is.
You mean like the innocent civilians - men, women and children - that get disabled, handicapped, blinded, lose limbs and die in the process of these wars? Yes... Let's not leave them out. They did not sign up for these wars.
They did not stand up (or could not) and fight for the right thing..
AND they huddled around the ones in power who were the providers AND the intended targets.
It is unfortunate, but it is the way of humans.
Compassion only goes as far as it can.
Common sense keeps you alive and well.
Yes, they were all just like the men, women and children of My Lai in 1968.... How dare they be there and not wave the U.S. flag to show that they were not the enemy!
Nice to see this
Thanks to comrad. Bush and Cheney,,two losers,,our guys are suffering
Bush lied and are guys died
Bush and Cheney were four years ago. Get over it. This is now Obama's war. After the twin towers were attacked, did you really expect Americans to say, gee, so sorry we p*ssed you off. We apologize. I am so proud of all our veterans and those still serving.
Once again, YOU are no vet.
No veteran would say things you say.
You are easy to figure out.
And it matters not that anyone did or did not lie.
We all volunteered.
SO please change your moniker to a more subtle name that fits you.
Like "Harlybackseatbitch" or something.
Thank you.
The disabled vets that were sent into harms way in Iraq by lies are still suffering. While things like Alive day can lift the spirits of a wounded warrior the scars will be with them always, they can't just get over it.
The wounded and disabled vets that were sent into Viet Nam by lies are still suffering but we have moved on and do not keep trying to assign blame.
And if Obama had taken everyone out of Iraq and Afghanistan in the first months of his Presidency, you would probably have screamed about him "allowing evil to continue" or some such nonsense....
Bush and Cheney got us into this mess with their lies and deceptions. That is a fact that cannot be twisted into something else.
Viewer_Ready
You seem to be proud that you were able to volunteer to go kill people just so you could be the Patriotic Hero. I am a veteran, and I know many combat-injured veterans (WW2, Vietnam, Korea, Gulf War, etc) -- and NONE of them claim to have fought for any flag or politician or even for "Mom and Apple Pie"
The majority of them may have volunteered, but they were also lied to as to the reasons they were sent to war. Every one of them freely admits that they fought so that their comrades -- the ones on either side of them on the field of battle -- might live.
That is true in any war...we fight not for the fat, lying, money grubbing jerks who call themselves "leaders", but to cover our buddy"s backi...but we all need to remember that this country was attacked, regardless of the lies, plots and political posturing, and there are people who want to see us all dead, women, children and anybody who dioes not agree with their raging, hate filled ideas.... Have you ever seen thatvideo where these radicals had a US miliary trussed up and just pushed him over and held him down while one of their sicki insurgents sawed off our boy's head with a knife. They recorded the whole thing and put it on muslim tv......do you want to deal with these guys here on our own soil??????
Why doen't every wounded veteran know about days like this it would of been nice? I guess you just gotta know which generals ass to kiss even state side. No wonder it took me almost two years to get into the system from surgery at Walter Reed and nice fly out of the war zone and six certified letters to prove I was in Iraq to even get into the V.A. and I fought for this @!$%#ed up Government.
Sorry that you are in this mess.
But remember.
You, like I, volunteered.
I am not trying to be cold, just trying to make a point.
You will get assistance.
I, and other vets are still fighting for you.
Stay on top of current events, and fire off letter after letter to your state government.
Kelly go to the Purple Heart association, they can help &will represent you at the VA for your benefits. They helped me & still do when ever I need them. There are avenues & tools, use them. The VFW, American Legion or DAV will all help.. and they are FREE of charge to do so.
Good advice.
Kelly-366317
Who are your senators, your congressional reps.?? Let's start there!! What are they doing to get you any help? I'm sure they don't want it in the press that they have a U.S. Veteran fighting to get the help they need - only to find that their elected representatives will do nothing to get to them that help!! We can make this work!..One thing unites Americans, we stand behind our Veterans (whether or not we support a war)..And we tend to show up and vote every November! Let us know what we can do !
Kelly-366317
The Vietnam Veterans of America, Seattle Chapter was very cool. They took me under their wing and walked me through everything. I was very distrustful of everyone when I got out but I Just picked up the phone one day and it was just like speaking to one of my shipmates again. They are on your side. They have been there. Just pick up the phone Kelly, you're worth it.
You are what we need to fight this government and bring Obummer to his Knees we need to get every military personal as I was in the 101st airborne We need to get everyone to gather and fight this administration there trying to take our guns our Constitution if all the military was behind ue we could over through Obummer and his cohearts we need to get them out of there and take the money back they stol from us americans the Obummer admistration wants to take all rights from all of us in the USA so we need to fight back bummer took all the credit for killing binladen he is a rag head and a thret to the USA and we need help getting rid of him!!!can you help we need your help bad!!!!
If you all want to express your ire about war, deal with those who make them!! Leave the vets and actuve military the f--- alone; they are doing their job and these guys are right, especially the vets: keep on getting your bro's back and help him fight the bureaucracy that is totally removed from the reality. My own experience with the va medical system has been fantastic with dignity and respect...we can have the same thing nation wide and we need to get there by dealing with the faceless, unaccountable bureaucrats who make these @!$%# decisions that hurt our brothers in arms.
Every day I wake up is my alive day and I know it's going to be a good day.
To all of my fellow Veterans, thank you for your service. And thank your families and loved ones for their support for your service. To many times Family members and loved ones are not recogonized. I know my spouse and family were a god send to me during my 19 years prior to my medical retirement. I was one of the ones who volunteered back before 1973 even though it was during the time of Nam. Many of us just volunteered because of honor, duty to country, freedom and such. The DAV helped with my initial VA claim back in 2002. They did great work and I could not have done it without them.
Once again thanks.
an old Army Vet
Remember the M-1 garrand--that was my weapon back when,
The Garand was a fine rifle for its day and still a fine rifle by todays standards, While not really suitable for close quartes combat it was a very effective weapon during WWII and Korea, It was used up until 1963 in Viet Nam, My weapon in Viet Nam was a M14 SAR until it was replaced with an M16.
Istand with you Rob Manning, and the DAV helped me also, even though I am not really disabled, but lost some important things due to injury...(I still teach advanced Martial Arts, with a few deficits, and I can't keep up with the 18 year olds physically, I can out smart them fairly regularly)
My sister husband got killed in Viet Nam-leaving a wife and two boys behind--as discussed--so the immigrants from Viet Nam could come to America and open up nail shops and operate shrimp boats in the Gulf of Mexico--which is they refuse to obey the rules of the road---and they speak badly of Americans in Florida.Bobby got killed for nothing--just a farmer from Hardee County--Florida
The Viet Nam ware was not fought so
Your hateful jingoistic comments and lack of understanding or the tragedy of that war doesn't honor any Viet Nam vet or your "sister husband"! Not the only error in your own native language I might note.
He was likely a draftee who had no choice, his sacrifice and that of his family should be regarded with thankfulness and pride.
Thank you wounded veterans, you have done your duty and made great sacrifices.
Veterans still giving back to us in the form of hope and inspiration, bless them all! When they need our support in congress for funding for veterans programs remember these wonderful Americans!
For Me...Every day is an Alive Day
Hey scumbag Mariannayes, This is an article about wounded vets not a platform for you to hawk online auctions. You have been reported and placed on ignore.
Scumbag
A silver lining no doubt for these very courageous brothers and sisters, but there are many suffering that need help.