March 13, 2007 --
Press Release: Led by U.S. Army Major David M. Rozelle, the new Florida chapter of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is recruiting athletes for Operation Rebound: Florida 70.3, a special fund-raising event to be held in conjunction with the Ford Ironman 70.3 Florida at Disney World on May 20, 2007.
Maj. Rozelle was featured during the recent NBC coverage of the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship. He is a below-knee amputee and an inspirational icon for American soldiers injured in the Middle East conflicts. While commanding 140 troops in Iraq, he lost part of his right leg when a land mine exploded under his Humvee. After completing his rehabilitation, he made the decision to return to active duty on a prosthetic leg – the first American soldier to do so in modern times.
Now, Maj. Rozelle is a spokesman for Operation Rebound, a CAF program that provides post-rehabilitation support and mentoring to American soldiers and veterans whose service to their country in Iraq and Afghanistan resulted in permanent physical disabilities. Operation Rebound provides the next step in the soldiers’ recovery once they master "the basics" needed to return to an active lifestyle. Maj. Rozelle strongly believes in the healing power of sports to accomplish this mission.
Maj. Rozelle will be competing at the Ford Ironman 70.3 Florida race and wants to help raise additional funds for Operation Rebound. Through CAF's Race for a Reason program, a limited number of Ford Ironman 70.3 triathletes will be able to join Rozelle's Operation Rebound: Florida 70.3 team for this race. The requirement? Athletes must raise at least $1,000 in support for CAF in conjunction with the race. The payoff? Benefits include:
1. Private race registration times – no standing in line.
2. A special bike area designated for the first 50 to join the Operation Rebound team.
3. A luncheon and photo opportunity on Saturday with Maj. Rozelle as special guest speaker.
4. An autographed copy, personalized for you, of Maj. Rozelle's book: Back in Action: An American Soldier's Story of Courage, Faith and Fortitude.
5. A specially designed jersey for Operation Rebound team members to wear on race day so everyone knows you are racing for the troops!
6. An opportunity to meet other American heroes injured protecting our freedom, who may greet you at the finish line.
7. BEST OF ALL – the top three fund raisers will receive not only an Ironman gift package with a $500 retail value, but also one slot to a North America Sports event of their choice in the 12 months following Ford Ironman Florida 70.3
All fund-raising will be organized and tracked through CAF's Race for a Reason program, which makes the process easy and fun. Click here to sign up for Operation Rebound: Florida 70.3. Simply select "join a team and choose "Operation Rebound: 70.3" in the Race for a Reason drop-down box. Additional incentive prizes are offered by CAF, depending upon the amount raised beyond the $1,000 required to join the Operation Rebound team.