Soldiers lost legs but kept strength (photos)

Soldiers lost legs but kept strength
Wounded Fort Campbell sergeants adjusting to life at home

By CHANTAL ESCOTO
The Leaf-Chronicle
Alicia Archuleta/The Leaf-Chronicle


Master Sgt. Luis Rodriguez puts on the prosthetic leg he uses for walking and daily tasks. Rodriguez has a second leg that is better suited for exercise.
EDITOR'S NOTE

Leaf-Chronicle reporter Chantal Escoto met Luis Rodriguez and Heath Calhoun last December when she traveled to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and visited wounded troops from Fort Campbell. What follows is an update on the soldiers' struggles and triumphs one year later.

The small miracles bring victory for Master Sgt. Luis Rodriguez and Staff Sgt. Heath Calhoun. Both soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division lost legs in enemy attacks while in Iraq more than a year ago. While both are relearning basics such as walking, driving and climbing steps, they say a positive attitude and a network of family and friends help them overcome just about every obstacle.

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