Wounded Warrior flies at balloon classic

Posted: Sep 4, 2010 2:14 PM by Andy Koen
Updated: Sep 4, 2010 8:13 PM

Neil Duncan has a simple goal in mind.

"We came out to ride a hot air balloon."

An Afghanistan veteran and Army paratrooper, Sgt. Duncan is taking his first balloon ride to promote Wounded Warrior Project.

Five years ago, he lost both of his legs in combat after an ied exploded directly under his vehicle.

"It detonated immediately underneath me and wrapped my legs in shrapnel and broke out a bunch of my teeth and shattered some other bones."

Neil spent over a week in a medically induced comma while doctors performed the numerous surgeries needed to save his life.

When he came to, he says some of the first people he saw were the the backpack delivery folks bringing him a care package from the Wounded Warrior Project.

In the following weeks during his recover, neil became determined not to allow his disability to immobilize him. In fact, he became inspired to do just the opposite.

In 2007, he took a jog at the White House with President Bush. Last month, he scaled Mount Kilimanjaro with two other veteran amputees.

Duncan says the outreach of groups like the Wounded Warrior Project makes recovery from war much easier than it was in past generations because of the support.

He says contributions from groups like USAA to the Wounded Warrior Project keep it financially afloat.

"Without organizations like USAA, Wounded Warrior Project would not be around."

Neil currently lives in Denver and is studying for a degree in real estate and finance.