By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — Combat veteran Sgt. Noah Galloway will not speak at the Eastern Area Mayors Breakfast on Tuesday, Feb. 24 as originally planned.
The event will be held at the Trussville Civic Center, and the buffet line begins at 7:30 a.m. The program begins at 7:45 a.m.
Galloway, a Birmingham native, was assigned to the 1st of the 502nd infantry of the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky., during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Three months in to his second tour of duty, on Dec. 19, 2005, Galloway lost his left arm above the elbow and left leg above the knee in an improvised explosive device attack. He was transported to Germany to receive medical treatment, remaining unconscious for five days.
Noah Galloway
photo courtesy of www.noahgalloway.com
Galloway woke up late in the evening on Christmas Eve to find out he had lost two of his limbs and sustained several injuries to his remaining leg and jaw. He was then transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. After a long stint in recovery and rehabilitation, Galloway did what many disabled veterans do, becoming withdrawn, out of shape and depressed. The former fitness fanatic and competitive athlete was drinking, smoking and sleeping his days away. But late one night, he took a long look in the mirror and realized there was more to him than the injuries.
He set a goal to get back in shape, be healthier and inspire others. Now a personal trainer, he continues to compete, participating in adventure races around the country.
Galloway has been on the cover of Men’s Health magazine, as he was named the publication’s 2014 Ultimate Guy. He’s also been a guest on numerous national talk shows, including “Ellen” and “The Today Show.”
Galloway recently created the No Excuses Charitable Fund, which raises money and awareness for organizations that mean the most to him.
Galloway currently resides in Alabaster.
To RSVP for the event, contact Courtney Dollar at 205-228-1048 or cdollar@trussville.com, or contact Melissa Jones at 205-913-4564 or melissa.jones@bryantbank.com. The deadline is Feb. 18.
The funds raised from the event will support camperships, activity fees and program supplies for the local Boy Scouts program.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
