Pictured: Keith Davis, David Rozelle, and 2 other Ironman CAF competitors.
Donate to Operation Rebound
Below is a letter from Keith to all his friends, family, and customers that have supported Keith through Operation Rebound:
Dear Friends & Family,
Many of you recall my friendship with Major David Rozelle, and my involvement last year with Operation Rebound. For those of you that are not familiar with this story, Major Rozelle (Davidson College ’95) was leading a convoy in Hit, Iraq, west of Baghdad on June 21, 2003, when his vehicle struck a landmine, resulting in the loss of his right foot. After spending eight months recovering, Major Rozelle was redeployed to Iraq, becoming the first troop commander to return to the battlefield as an amputee in recent military history. David has written an excellent book about his experiences, appeared on countless national news programs and features, and become quite a celebrity along the way. And that was only the beginning . . .
Not only has the loss of his foot not slowed him down, David has returned to athletic competition in everything from ski racing to the Hawaii Ironman. In addition to his athletic exploits and his role as a spokesman for the CAF, he is currently stationed at the Pentagon and serves as a champion and mentor for severely injured military personnel. Largely through his efforts, “Operation Rebound” was established to provide post-rehabilitation support and mentoring to American soldiers and veterans who have suffered permanent physical injuries as a result of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a true American hero that has taken a challenging set of personal experiences and used them to create hope and countless opportunities for others.
I originally joined Operation Rebound last year in Orlando, FL as part of my participation in the Florida Half Ironman. We had great success, and as a team of more than 60 racers, Operation Rebound raised over $200,000 in its first year. It was a particularly special moment for me when I had my photo taken with Elmer, an Iraq Veteran who had lost both of his legs in combat. Elmer was the recipient of the first grant from the monies we raised, and we presented him with a tennis wheelchair – his dream was to play tennis with his wife, once again. That was a special moment (and yes, I did cry a bit).
As you all know, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to be fought, and every night on the news we hear about the casualties of our involvement abroad. Consequently, there is still a great need to support those who defend us. As such, I have rejoined Operation Rebound, and I am once again asking for your financial support. All of the money I raise will go directly to Operation Rebound, to be distributed to the heroes that have given so selflessly to defend our freedom. Please join me by making a contribution to my webpage by clicking
here. After I race on May 18, I can’t wait to report back as to the grants we are able to make in 2008.
Thank you for your generosity, and God Bless America.
Keith
