"We are proud to continue to represent our fellow amputees."

"Missing Parts in Action" (MPIA) gets under way in last year's race
photo courtesy of Action Sports International.

The 23rd Annual Army Ten-Miler, America's largest 10-mile race, attracts 26,000 runners from all over the world to run a course that starts and finishes at the Pentagon and passes through DC. Participation in the Army's premier event holds significant meaning to soldiers and civilians alike. One group of special interest is "Missing Parts in Action" (MPIA). This group is made up of military amputees as well as their physical therapists and this year's race will have the largest participation rate of MPIA runners since the team's debut in 2004. The five military amputee teams and their support are from Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), Brook Army Medical Center (BAMC), Fort Sam Houston, TX, and San Diego Naval Medical Center (SDNMC). While the names of the team members change from year to year, the strength, courage, and morale of these soldiers remain unwavering.

MPIA Team Captain, Major David Rozelle, is a prime example of what these soldiers can accomplish. Major Rozelle lost his right foot to an anti-tank mine in June 2003. After nine months of grueling rehabilitation, Rozelle was declared fit for duty and took command of the 3rd Armored Cavalry headquarters unit only one year after he lost his foot. He is the first amputee in recent military history to resume a dangerous command in the field.

Major Rozelle's current assignment finds him back at Walter Reed as the Administrator for the Amputee Care Center. Major Rozelle serves as both a mentor and an inspiration to the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed. Not only has he volunteered numerous hours as a disabled ski and snowboard instructor's assistant and demonstrator he has also finished an Ironman Triathlon.

"It is hard to believe that we are on our fourth year for this Missing Parts in Action Team. Each year we have grown. Our first year is was just a few of us, our second was twelve, and last year we doubled to twenty-four. This year we will make our strongest showing yet with thirty and will represent all three centers. We are proud to continue to represent our fellow amputees."

Other team members have unique stories too:

Ed Salau, a medically retired first lieutenant from the Army National Guard had an above-the-knee amputation after being hit in Iraq by a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) in 2004. He currently serves as the East Coast Director of the Wounded Warrior Project which provides programs and services to enrich the lives of wounded soldiers by way of sports. For Ed, seeing last year's MPIA team prepare to run the Army Ten-Miler was what inspired him to become part of this year's team. This will be not only his first Army Ten-Miler but also his first 10-mile run.

Lieutenant Ivan Castro, a former weapons sergeant in a Special Forces Group, currently on active duty, was injured in Iraq in September, 2006. Although Castro lost his right eye, is blinded in his left eye, and had his right index finger amputated, the injuries he sustained have not interfered with his desire to run with MPIA. Castro will be running in this year's race tethered to his training partner from Fort Bragg.

Captain Wesley Knight, an active duty Army officer who has had a partial hand amputation, feels that he is not faced with as many challenges as his teammates in training for the Army Ten- Miler. However, because bone was removed from his hip to replace bone that was missing in his hand, his overall physical conditioning was set back. This will be Captain Knight's first Army Ten-Miler and he feels that this will give him the opportunity to represent not only the Army but also his friends currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Captain Elizabeth Painter is a physical therapist and currently assigned as Chief, Amputee Physical Therapy Section at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She will run alongside the teams and can attest to the fact that for each Wounded Warrior who has fought on through pain and frustration, discouragement and physical setbacks, reaching the day of the Army Ten-Miler and running the race is a profound victory.

Race weekend opportunities to interview the members of Missing Parts in Action Team include the Army Ten-Miler Press Conference on Friday, October 5, 1:30 p.m. at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, TANDBERG Interactive Zone, Arlington Ballroom.

There is start line photo opportunity race day, October 7, at 7:50 a.m. as all of MPIA take off as a group and/or immediately after the race in the media tent area.

For more information on the race, visit the Army 10-miler web site

Read last's year MPIA press release