Overcoming Adversity

An Exploding Mine Didn't Stop This Major

Air Force Major Returns to Help Eradicate Explosives that Nearly Killed Him

By Fred W. Baker III  American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2008 

It's just after 5 on a weekday evening at Air Force Maj. Matthew Conlan's home in a leafy Northern Virginia subdivision. Conlan's son, Cameron, is home from college for the summer and playing with their dog in the three-story townhouse. Conlan's wife, Becky, just got home from work and is on the phone with a utility company.

Air Force Maj. Matthew Conlan walks a couple of miles regularly through the cavernous tunnel system of shops and restaurants below his office in Crystal City, downtown Arlington, Va. Conlan was injured in Afghanistan in 2005 and returned to active duty to work at the Air Force's counter-improvised explosive device office in Arlington. DoD photo by Fred W. Baker III

The dog hears the familiar "click" as the electronic garage door opens and, like clockwork, he starts barking like crazy. The long-time family pet knows Conlan is home, and that it's almost time for their evening walk.

The Conlans' life, for the most part, appears to be normal. But like some 440 other airmen seriously wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Conlan and his family have struggled for normalcy. While on the surface, their life now looks like a slice of Americana, underneath the layers of Conlan's uniform, and behind the smiles on the faces of his family, lie the scars and memories of a bomb blast three years ago that nearly tore them apart.

Never Say Die, Never Quit, Always Give Back

SSG Joshua Forbess: Never Say Die, Never Quit

Bush Lauds Wounded Warrior for Serving Other Troops, Families By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2008 – President George W. Bush presented a prestigious award today to a severely wounded warrior at Fort Campbell, Ky., who mentors other wounded troops and their families and volunteers at the post’s Fisher House. Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Forbess, seriously injured in a fiery Black Hawk helicopter collision over Mosul, Iraq, in November 2003, said he was motivated during his recovery to do everything in his power to return to full duty. President George W. Bush presented Forbess the President’s Volunteer Service award Nov. 25, 2008, for his work with other wounded warriors. DoD photo by Donna Miles   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Bush presented the President’s Volunteer Service award to Army Staff Sgt. Josh Forbess, praising him for serving his nation in uniform, and going the extra measure to serve others in need. The president lauded Forbess during a pre-Thanksgiving Day visit to the Fort Campbell, noting that he’ll greatly miss the opportunities he’s had as commander in chief to spend time with those who serve the country in uniform. Forbess is one of just five 101st Airborne Division soldiers who survived a fiery Black Hawk helicopter collision over Mosul, Iraq, in November 2003. Then-Maj. Gen. David H. Petreaus, who commanded the “Screaming Eagles” at the time, called the crash that killed 17 of his soldiers a gut-wrenching low point for the entire division. “The loss of 17 soldiers in one night when two helicopters collided over Mosul was just a blow beyond belief,” he told American Forces Press Service after the division had redeployed in March 2004. “It's like losing 17 children. It's almost beyond comprehension -- a terrible, terrible blow to the organization and the individuals in it.” Forbess, who didn’t wake up from the incident until eight weeks later, lost an ear and half of his nose and received broken bones, extensive burns and smoke inhalation injuries. The accident launched his long, painful and heroic return to recovery as he struggled to return to duty and help his fellow wounded soldiers. As he recovered, the 29-year-old Decatur, Ill., native called the opportunity to return to active duty the driving force that kept him motivated. “I love my job. I love training soldiers,” he told American Forces Press Service as he was undergoing treatment at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. “There's nothing else I could do that I would enjoy as much as that.” He expressed no doubt that he’d achieve his goal. “As long as you have heart, there’s nothing to stop you,” he said. The driving force behind his efforts to recover fully and return to full duty in the military is “all in here,” he said, tapping his chest. Today, Forbess is back on duty as senior noncommissioned officer at Fort Campbell’s Soldier and Family Assistance Center. He’s also been a volunteer at the post Fisher House since it opened in 2006, leading wounded warrior meetings and providing an example of what’s possible for other wounded troops. On hearing of the honor he would receive, Forbess told a local reporter “just to be nominated is great.” He said he expected to be speechless when he received the award. Bush created the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2002 to recognize Americans who make a difference through volunteer service. He has presented more than 650 of the awards.

Related Sites: Transcript Related Articles: Bush Praises Fort Campbell Troops for Key Role in Terror War Why I Serve: Injured Soldier Vows to Return to Full Duty Petraeus Cites Highs and Lows of Iraqi Deployment

Bush Lauds Wounded Warrior for Serving Other Troops, Families By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2008 – President George W. Bush presented a prestigious award today to a severely wounded warrior at Fort Campbell, Ky., who mentors other wounded troops and their families and volunteers at the post’s Fisher House. Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Forbess, seriously injured in a fiery Black Hawk helicopter collision over Mosul, Iraq, in November 2003, said he was motivated during his recovery to do everything in his power to return to full duty. President George W. Bush presented Forbess the President’s Volunteer Service award Nov. 25, 2008, for his work with other wounded warriors. DoD photo by Donna Miles   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Bush presented the President’s Volunteer Service award to Army Staff Sgt. Josh Forbess, praising him for serving his nation in uniform, and going the extra measure to serve others in need. The president lauded Forbess during a pre-Thanksgiving Day visit to the Fort Campbell, noting that he’ll greatly miss the opportunities he’s had as commander in chief to spend time with those who serve the country in uniform. Forbess is one of just five 101st Airborne Division soldiers who survived a fiery Black Hawk helicopter collision over Mosul, Iraq, in November 2003. Then-Maj. Gen. David H. Petreaus, who commanded the “Screaming Eagles” at the time, called the crash that killed 17 of his soldiers a gut-wrenching low point for the entire division. “The loss of 17 soldiers in one night when two helicopters collided over Mosul was just a blow beyond belief,” he told American Forces Press Service after the division had redeployed in March 2004. “It's like losing 17 children. It's almost beyond comprehension -- a terrible, terrible blow to the organization and the individuals in it.” Forbess, who didn’t wake up from the incident until eight weeks later, lost an ear and half of his nose and received broken bones, extensive burns and smoke inhalation injuries. The accident launched his long, painful and heroic return to recovery as he struggled to return to duty and help his fellow wounded soldiers. As he recovered, the 29-year-old Decatur, Ill., native called the opportunity to return to active duty the driving force that kept him motivated. “I love my job. I love training soldiers,” he told American Forces Press Service as he was undergoing treatment at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. “There's nothing else I could do that I would enjoy as much as that.” He expressed no doubt that he’d achieve his goal. “As long as you have heart, there’s nothing to stop you,” he said. The driving force behind his efforts to recover fully and return to full duty in the military is “all in here,” he said, tapping his chest. Today, Forbess is back on duty as senior noncommissioned officer at Fort Campbell’s Soldier and Family Assistance Center. He’s also been a volunteer at the post Fisher House since it opened in 2006, leading wounded warrior meetings and providing an example of what’s possible for other wounded troops. On hearing of the honor he would receive, Forbess told a local reporter “just to be nominated is great.” He said he expected to be speechless when he received the award. Bush created the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2002 to recognize Americans who make a difference through volunteer service. He has presented more than 650 of the awards.

Related Sites: Transcript Related Articles: Bush Praises Fort Campbell Troops for Key Role in Terror War Why I Serve: Injured Soldier Vows to Return to Full Duty Petraeus Cites Highs and Lows of Iraqi Deployment