Current: He continues to triumph....

Afghanistan Vet Helping Other Amputees
Saturday, June 16, 2007
By CHARLES ODUM, Associated Press Writer

MARIETTA, Ga. — Mike McNaughton, a soldier who lost his right leg in a mine explosion in Afghanistan, was still in the early stages of recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center when he received a visit from President Bush.

"I told him one day I'll outrun him," McNaughton said. "He said, `When you feel better, let me know.'"

McNaughton took the president at his word, and 14 months later the two ran a mile together on property surrounding the White House, even though McNaughton was still adjusting to running with his new prosthesis.

He recalled that run Friday, noting his well-timed hospital visit, as he participated in the Amputee Coalition of America's annual conference, which highlighted the Military Amputee Peer Visitation program. McNaughton is among more than 100 veterans who participate in the program at the Walter Reed facility in Washington, the Brooke Army Center in San Antonio and the Naval Medical Center San Diego.

"I saw the president and 14 months later I ran with him, so I had a little more motivation," McNaughton said of his recovery. "After that I found, I guess, my true calling. That's when I started talking to more soldiers and amputees in general."

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