Story Links
Virginia men’s head basketball coach Dave Leitao is currently on a USO Tour to the Persian Gulf Region with five other current and former basketball coaches. The tour is called “Operation Hoop Talk: Talking with the Troops” and joining Coach Leitao on the tour are Jeff Bzdelik (Colorado), Ed Conroy (The Citadel), Jim Crews (United States Military Academy), Gary Stewart (UC Davis) and Jeff Nix (former college assistant coach, and former scouting director and assistant general manager with the New York Knicks). Coach Leitao is keeping a journal during the tour and following is the first installment of his journal.
Day 1 – Monday, June 2
Before I ever complain too much again, I’ve got to remember those individuals whose lives are far more difficult than mine and I’ve got to be more appreciative of things than I’ve been in the past. This tour started with visits to some of our wounded warriors at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
We were shuttled first to the National Naval Medical Center to visit three soldiers recovering after being injured in Iraq, where we are headed shortly.
“Where in Iraq are you going?” one of the soldiers asked. He laughed at my reply of, “I’m not sure.”
“You don’t want to be in Iraq not knowing where you’re going,” he said as I looked down and realized one of his legs was missing. Talk about finding it hard to swallow.
As I visited with these individuals, the realization of what the word “war” really means hit home. There were two soldiers sharing a room having just been admitted on the 27th of May. I learned the young, proud soldier from the Bronx had saved his roommate’s life in battle. He had no problem describing the events that were so fresh in his mind. Injured by a bomb blast, his body filled with shrapnel, he dragged his buddy to safety with events only he can recall going on around him. Not able to walk yet on his own, his story immediately put my trip into proper prospective. We have proud, young soldiers who stick together like brothers and sisters during a dangerous time in American history and they do it without blinking an eye.
Our trip to Walter Reed Army Medical Center was my second to that hospital. We took our Virginia team to visit two years ago and for all of us it was a life altering experience. This time was no different. The few hours we spent there certainly left me wanting to do more than just say thank you.
There was a soldier from Michigan who we met in the rehab center. He is learning to use his two new prosthetic legs to be able to walk again. He lost both his legs in an explosion while on patrol. He spoke of his love for college basketball and of Michigan sports as well as his disdain for Ohio State!! After 15 minutes of conversation, one of the coaches commented on seeing him jogging as we walked in. His demeanor immediately changed as he spoke about the pain he was in. He politely excused himself to go and get some rest. I couldn’t help but realize and wonder by seeing his expression change, the physical and mental anguish one goes through dealing with the loss of limbs at a young age. These are incredibly strong young men and women we have protecting us. And they do it because they love this country as we do.
What an opportunity before going overseas to see our troops. A life experience I’m so blessed to have.
God Bless America!!!
Dave Leitao
Head Basketball Coach
University of Virginia