Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, the day that changed everything. Whether we were there physically or not we were all affected. On that fateful day many
innocent people died, most of them just going about the business of their day, but others in service to us all. The first responders in New York and
Washington who answered the call to duty, and the heroes on Flight 93... We remember and pay respect to all those who were killed in the terrorist
attack that day.
On the 10th anniversary of the attack on America took time to reflect upon those local heroes who sever and protect us here at home, our own
firefighters, police and emergency medical personal. I appreciate all they do to keep us safe, sometime at their own sacrifice and peril.
Lest we forget...The 9-11 Generation. I pay tribute to the thousands of teenagers and young people who made the decision to serve their country by
volunteering for the armed forces. Most are on their second, third or fourth tour. All have deployed at least once to Iraq or Afghanistan.
I reflect on two local heroes of the 9-11 Generation, Josh Moore and J.D. Williams.
In memoriam: Army Cpl Joshua M. Moore
Josh, the son of Jess and Carolyn Moore from Lewisburg, was killed along with two other soldiers on May 30, 2007 in Baghdad when the Humvee they were
riding in struck an improvised explosive device.
I have an 8x10 photo of Josh in my office in Frankfort, which his mom Carolyn gave me. Josh looks over my left shoulder while I work at my desk. His
gaze is a silent reminder that our people and lifestyle are worth fighting for, and that some families gave all. He keeps me on my toes.
Josh was the first casualty of war in Logan County since Vietnam and was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, based in Germany. He had earned the
Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal, during his tour of duty. Kentucky has lost 103 brave men and women in the War on Terror. From
a grateful community in appreciation for your service and sacrifice, we miss you Josh.
Out of the ashes the phoenix rises:
J.D. Williams
J.D. Williams, from Auburn, was 13-years-old on September 11, 2001. Like most teenagers, he was in school as planes slammed into the World Trade
Center.
Ten years later, he is recovering from stepping on an improvised explosive device while on duty in Afghanistan. The blast, which sent him 20 feet in
the air, caused him to lose both legs and his right arm.
Land mines and IED’s are claiming far more limbs than lives these days and most of the credit can be given to the Combat Medic and Corpsmen, whose
quick reaction and medical skills are saving lives.
Like most soldiers, it took less than 19 minutes to load J.D. onto a helicopter and have him on his way to safety. He was stabilized at the field
hospital in Afghanistan before going to Germany where doctors performed the amputations. Within five days he was transported to Brooke Army Medical
Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Two weeks later, Williams was able to sit up straight and soon thereafter he began physical therapy.
I was blessed to be in San Antonio, Texas, and to arrange a visit with Ashlee, Kaelyn and J.D. at the Center for the Intrepid, a world-class
state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation facility for wounded warriors located at Fort Sam. Sallie Bolton from Speaker Stumbo’s office accompanied me,
and I was thankful to have her expertise as a veteran and writer.
Seldom in life have I witnessed such strength of human spirit that I found in J.D. With great testimony, bule eyes and smiling face, his personality is
larger than life. Today, J.D. is a standard fixture at The Center for the Intrepid. Operated by the Army, it serves military personnel who have been
catastrophically disabled while on active duty. The 65,000 square-foot center focuses on restoring health by providing evaluation, diagnosis, treatment
and rehabilitation for patients over a long period of time. J.D. has been there since October 2010.
The Center opened in 2007, using no taxpayer money, and was funded entirely by the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. This fund continues an effort begun in
1982 by Intrepid Foundation founders Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher. Between 1982 and 1999 the Fishers made contributions of between $10,000 and $25,000
to the families of hundreds of military personnel lost in performance of their duty. Following Sept. 11 and the onset of military operations in
Afghanistan, the Fishers determined that all Americans should join in this effort to support the families of our fallen heroes.
In October 2003 Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund was then established as a program of the Intrepid Foundation. In January 2007, after only 16 months
of fund raising and the generous support of over 600,000 Americans, from kids who gave pennies to parents who wanted to say thank you, the Fund
completed construction of the Center for the Intrepid <http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/About-IFHF/Fund-History/The-Center-for-the-Intrepid.aspx>, a $55 million
world-class state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Center is co-located with two
21-room Fisher Houses to accommodate the families of patients.
In the facility, patients have access to an apartment with a full kitchen, bath, living area and bedroom; a virtual driving simulator that helps them
learn to drive without limbs, a Firearms Training Simulator that puts them on a virtual firing range, state-of-the-art strengthening and physical
therapy tools, a 21-foot climbing wall, and indoor pool and a wave pool which helps promote balance and agility.
More than 40,000 men and women have been wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq. Their future quality of life, their ability to care for themselves and their
families, as well as their self confidence depends on the treatment they receive following their injuries. The Center for the Intrepid provides them
hope and a future. It gives their self confidence a huge boost by allowing them to accomplishment day-to-day tasks themselves.
As for Army Sgt. Williams, he has been working daily to navigate his new legs. He has been fishing, kayaking and hunting, which is a lifelong passion.
He lives with his family, wife Ashley and daughter Kaelyn, off post and goes to the center daily for therapy. He recently received his new
cross-country wheelchair, and spends part of his day learning how to steer through different terrains.
Most importantly, J.D. has received the emotional and psychological support he needs from a network of peers, family, and friends here at home and
around the country, as well as a team of physical and occupational therapists, nurses, physicians, prosthetists, and other specialists required for him
to make the most out of his life.
Although there is no exact timetable for J.D.’s return to Logan County, he hopes to be back in about six months in order to start working toward his
new career as a game warden. I am already making phone calls and connections to help him. God Speed, J.D., we will see you back home.
One hundred percent of the contributions received by the Center for the Intrepid are used for services designed to assist patients and their
families. If you would like to support this unique facility, you can send your donation to Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, One Intrepid Square, 12 th Avenue & 46th Street, New York, NY 10036-4103.