Embattled Grundy welcomes home determined native son

Embattled Grundy welcomes home determined native son


By the Associated Press

Published September 19, 2004

GRUNDY, Va. -- U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Heath Calhoun seems to personify the spirit and collective determination of this embattled coal town near the Kentucky and West Virginia borders.

Less than one year after losing both legs in Iraq at age 24, Calhoun has not only learned to walk and drive on prosthetic legs, but he's also snowboarded, waterskied and recently cycled more than 30 miles in a single day.

Calhoun's recovery has inspired other amputees with whom he volunteers. And the crowd that formed to welcome its native son home on Saturday demonstrated he's become a source of pride to a community that has faced devastating floods, fires, even a triple murder, and emerged determined to rebuild.

"I think Heath is a lot like the town of Grundy itself: We don't quit," said Chuck Crabtree, Grundy's town manager. "Even though we as a town have gone through flooding and whatever else has taken place, we as a town still have that Bible Belt (mentality). You take it, you don't quit and you go forward."

"He told me out there that he doesn't feel like a true hero," state Del. Jackie Stump, D-Buchanan County, told the crowd gathered for the homecoming. Turning to Calhoun, Stump said: "But you are a true hero."

A member of the 101st Airborne and an elite Army Ranger, Calhoun was helping transport a contingent of fresh troops to guard a bank in Mosul, Iraq, Nov. 7 when a rocket-propelled grenade slammed into the back of the Humvee.

The blast killed one soldier, wounded several others and severely damaged Calhoun's lower legs. Stranded without a medic, the other soldiers did their best to save the lives of the wounded, including tying tourniquets around Calhoun's legs to stop the bleeding.

"They didn't want to do it," Calhoun told the more than 100 people gathered Saturday. "They knew if they tied the tourniquets that I was going to lose my legs. But they did it."

Calhoun said he has no doubt the action saved his life.

Doctors were forced to amputate both of Calhoun's legs above the knees. After being transferred to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Calhoun began the slow, painful physical therapy process.

Calhoun, his wife, Tiffany, and 2-year-old son, Mason, now live in Clarksville, Tenn., where he is awaiting a medical discharge from the Army.

Although still somewhat unsteady on stairs, Calhoun can walk with only the aid of a cane and easily drives the full-size Nissan Titan pickup truck retrofitted for his use.

The truck was purchased with more than $45,000 raised by the Levisa River chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Grundy area schoolchildren and their families contributed the final $5,000.

"In this (Buchanan) county, oftentimes the people who have the least will donate the most because they take it as a family affair," said Janie Owens, a DAR member.

Calhoun was definitely among family Saturday. Following a parade down U.S. 460 led by a high school ROTC group, the crowd gathered in the theater that doubles as the town's community center to hear Calhoun and others talk about patriotism, family and faith. Calhoun received at least six standing ovations.

Afterward, the soldier autographed pictures of himself for nearly two hours.

Calhoun said he is proud of his service and believes that U.S. troops are doing the right thing in Iraq. He also is strongly optimistic about his future.

"By no means am I saying I don't have bad days," he said, explaining that he still cannot do many of his favorite activities. "You have bad days, but now I talk to my family and I talk to my friends."


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