Iraq war vet to carry U.S. flag at Paralympics

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news/2010/03/ap_military_iraq_paralympics_031110

Iraq war vet to carry U.S. flag at Paralympics

The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Mar 11, 2010 17:58:05 EST

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Alpine skier Heath Calhoun will carry the flag for the U.S. Paralympic Team at the opening ceremonies of the Paralympic Games.

The U.S. Olympic Committee announced the selection of the Iraq war veteran from Bristol, Tenn., on Thursday. The opening ceremonies will be held Friday in Vancouver.

Calhoun, a retired Army staff sergeant, lost both legs above the knee while serving as a squad leader for the 101st Airborne Division.

He went through nine months of rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center before becoming involved in Paralympic sports. He trained for skiing in Aspen, Colo.

Calhoun will join 1,300 athletes from 44 countries who will compete in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, curling and sledge hockey.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld chats with retired Army Staff Sgt. Heath Calhoun, a 101st Airborne Division soldier wounded in Iraq, in 2006 during the Vail Veterans Program. Calhoun will carry the U.S. flag at the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Paralympics on March 12.

Donna Miles / Department of Defense Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld chats with retired Army Staff Sgt. Heath Calhoun, a 101st Airborne Division soldier wounded in Iraq, in 2006 during the Vail Veterans Program. Calhoun will carry the U.S. flag at the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Paralympics on March 12.

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