Tammy.

This is coolbert:

"On Sunday [today], Tammy Duckworth will celebrate "Alive Day."

"That's what she calls the anniversary of the day a rocket propelled grenade [RPG] tore through the helicopter she was co-piloting in Iraq - - an attack that destroyed her legs and shattered her right arm, but spared her life."

Tammy Duckworth. Major Tammy Duckworth. Illinois Army National Guard [ILARNG].

A recent candidate for seat in the House of Representatives. Lost in a narrow race to her opponent, but ran [in a usually very safe Republican district], a very competitive race with honor. She is one of the persons the Democratic party has slated to counter claims that the Democratic party is anti-military, anti-patriotic, and sometimes, in the perception of some, downright anti-American.

Tammy is a very remarkable person. Very accomplished and from what I read, the type of person YOU DO want to have representing you in Congress. Regardless of party affiliation.

Even with two prosthesis [needs a cane to walk and is seen from time to time in a wheelchair], she has a full schedule ahead of her:

"She talked of celebrating her first 'real traditional Christmas' with her husband since 2002.

"Plans to finish up a doctorate in public health."

"entertaining ways to parlay her campaign experience into ways to focus on health-care policy or veterans advocacy.

"And she is helping raise money to open a Fisher House - - a place for military families to stay while loved ones undergo hospitalization - - at Hines VA Hospital outside Chicago."

"She is also a major in the National Guard - - she has 14 years experience and once a month, she heads to Springfield [Il] where she inspects ground and air units on safety."

Regardless of prosthesis, she still intends to resume flying as well. Very noble and brave.

"Saturday at Schaumburg Regional Airport, she hopes to begin lessons in a two-seat airplane. The first benefit, she said, will be 'just to get the joy of flying back in me again.'"

[this is of course a fixed-wing private plane, not a military aircraft!!]

With regard to military flying, "she hopes to get re-accredited to fly helicopters some day. Military cockpits, by regulation, cannot be modified for her prostheses, so she would have to find some other way to pass the physicals and flight tests".

Like a said, a remarkable person.

Good luck Tammy.

coolbert.