(Rick Hickman / Special to the American Press)
(Rick Hickman / Special to the American Press)
Vets get lift from Wounded Warriors
Last Modified: Saturday, July 14, 2012 11:03 PM
By Rachel Whittaker / American Press
SULPHUR — Justin Mouser and Andrew Miller aren’t just Army veterans.
They participated in the veterans’ parade before the final game of the Battle on the Bayou on Saturday night, celebrating the adversity they overcame during their tours of duty that ended far too soon in 2010.
Mouser, a Lake Charles resident, and Miller, an Ohio native who lives in Houston, both endured left leg amputations after stepping on land mines in Afghanistan with the 4th Infantry Division. Their injuries happened within one month of each other — Mouser on Aug. 13, 2010 and Miller on Sept. 11 — and both had to return home barely a month into their Army tenures.
On Saturday they were in the presence of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, men who know first-hand the difficulties Mouser and Miller went through but are standing resilient today, prosthesis and all.
“It’s pretty great; it’s exciting to see a couple dozen guys out there like me,” Mouser said. “It’s a good hometown thing that raises awareness.”
Both men joined the Army during college, answering a call to serve their country on a deeper level. Miller said having Mouser as a friend and comrade who could identify with his struggles as an amputee made the rehabilitation easier.
“I had been upset about him getting hurt and then I got hurt,” Miller said. “We went through everything and learned about prosthesis and everything together. It’s cool that you have that bond you’ll always have with what you’ve been through.”
For Mouser, coping with the amputation alongside Miller was calming since the men had known each other from the very beginning of their basic training. Both of them quickly learned that just because they had to wear prosthesis didn’t mean they couldn’t regain their strength back at home.
The Wounded Warriors share that same philosophy — that their disability doesn’t get in their way of living life to the fullest.
Monroe native Randall Rugg, the only Wounded Warrior team member from Louisiana, said war veterans possess an innate drive that propels them through times of trouble. That quality certainly applies to Mouser and Miller.
“(This team) was a chance to be with people who are like me and share the same experiences of how to move forward with the rest of our lives after we lost our leg,” Rugg said. “That’s why I’m here. Life is way too short; you never know when it’s going to end; you have to make the most of every moment you have.”
Their military careers came to screeching halts. But Mouser and Miller still appreciate each and every moment of life, especially in the presence of Wounded Warriors.
Posted By: B.P English On: 7/15/2012
Title: WWST
My daughter,grandson & I went Saterday night. We had A great time. My daughter caught the only ball thrown into the stands. It really makes you proud to be from SWLA when we have A turn out like we had. For such A great group of vets.
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