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April 7, 2008

Vietnam veteran Eugene Roberts wraps an arm around his wife Alicia while thanking the VA for their support through every stage of his more than 3,200-mile run across country.  As Roberts crossed the finish line in front of the Baltimore VA Medical Center, employees, patients (including many fellow amputee veterans) and Roberts’ family and friends waved U.S. flags and held up banners welcoming him home and congratulating him on his amazing and inspirational accomplishment.

Before finishing his more than 3,200 mile run across country, veteran Eugene Roberts passed through the nation’s capital during the Cherry Blossom Festival. He ran by many of the monuments, including the Vietnam Memorial, which holds special meaning to the him as a Vietnam veteran.

Vietnam veteran Eugene Roberts and his grandson run the final stretch of his more than 3,200-mile cross country journey on West Baltimore Street near the Baltimore VA Medical Center where he was welcomed by hundreds of cheering supporters on April 7, 2008.  Baltimore City Police and members of the Patriot Guard Riders escorted Roberts for the final five miles to the medical center.

Hundreds Celebrate as Veteran Amputee Finishes
Cross Country Run at Baltimore VA Medical Center

Baltimore—Hundreds of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees, veterans and on lookers cheered, waved U.S. flags and shed tears of joy as Marine veteran Eugene Roberts, Sr., turned from West Baltimore Street into the Baltimore VA Medical Center to finish his more than 3,200-mile cross country run on April 7, 2008.

Baltimore City Police led the way for Roberts’ final five miles to the medical center, clearing intersections to allow him to pass unimpeded.  Members of the Maryland chapter of Patriot Guard Riders, a veteran’s motorcycle group, provide an escort from behind with U.S. and prisoner of war flags mounted on their bikes.  People on the streets stopped and stared in amazement as Roberts sprinted the final block.

While any cross country run is a feat worthy of celebration, what made this Vietnam veteran’s trek so special was that he has two prosthetic legs.  Inspired by his love of Jesus, and in the spirit of the Marine Corps motto “Semper Fidelis,” which means always faithful, Roberts began his incredible journey in early July 2007 from Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and crossed nine southern states to Parris Island Marine Corps Depot, S.C. and then back to the VA medical center in Baltimore.

Early in his journey, Roberts faced 120 degree temperatures while navigating the desert highways of Southern California and Arizona.  Even the torrential southern rain storms could not deter his spirit or keep him from running.

“Running on these prosthetic legs wasn’t easy,” Roberts said to the crowd of supporters after he crossed the finish line.  “But my faith in Jesus kept me going each day.”  He also admitted that he would not have been successful without the loving support of his wife of more than 40 years, and continual assistance from the VA Maryland Health Care System prosthetics team.

Prosthetics Specialist Charlene Grant supported Roberts from day one.  Instead of providing basic prosthetic legs, Grant made sure that Roberts had the latest athletic prostheses that were up to the task.  She also worked with Roberts to coordinate health care “pit stops” at VA medical centers along his journey across the country.  These medical centers quickly accommodated the VA Maryland Health Care System patient during his cross country journey.  Due to the unprecedented use of his prosthetics, VA medical staff needed to make regular adjustments to his legs and sockets, and the soles of his prosthetic feet had to be replaced after the constant pounding on the pavement.   As with any distance runner, Roberts also had his share of blisters and minor injuries.  

“This is a great example of how the VA Maryland health Care System and the VA as a whole is going the ‘extra mile’ to provide world-class health care services to our nation’s veterans,” said Dennis Smith, Director of the VA Maryland Health Care System.

“Veterans like Roberts are an inspiration to other amputees, veterans, health care providers and just about anybody who learns of his amazing story,” Smith added.  “His ‘never surrender’ attitude is an example to people of all walks of life that no matter how bad things might seem, having the right attitude can lead you down the road to personal accomplishment and fulfillment.”