Our Great City

Story in Ft Worth Star-Telegram, Wednesday Sept 10, 2008 Story written by: Chris Vaughn

Photo By: Skipping Stone Studio

ROUND ROCK — Alan Babin will load up on his bicycle Saturday morning, tighten the chinstrap on his helmet and take off on a 12-mile trek through the streets of Northeast Tarrant County.

He will pedal the whole way with his arms, a small 82nd Airborne flag whipping behind him.

Americans are perhaps accustomed to seeing severely disabled veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan do things unimaginable to the Vietnam generation: snow skiing, water-skiing, jogging, white-water rafting, big-game hunting.

What often isn’t seen is how much determination and stubborn will it takes to resume that kind of physical lifestyle, overcoming not only horrific physical wounds but also the emotional scars that come with a radically changed body. And then there are the memories of friends whose names are etched onto memorial walls.

Alan is one of those young men, a 28-year-old Texan who by all rights should be a dead man several times over.

"God has blessed me with the aptitude of, even after five and a half years, of still being blown away by where he is in his recovery," Alan’s mother, Rosie, said. "Even with all the work he still has to do, I have not ever lost sight of how far Alan has come through God’s grace and Alan’s hard work."

A Tribute to Chad Snowden from OurGreatCity.com on Vimeo.

Chad Snowden was born September 24th 1975 and played golf since he was 8 yrs old.  Taking professional lessons throughout his school years into high school in Weatherford, Tx. Chad was the only freshman on his senior golf team.  Chad played against Tiger Woods in a tournament at the Woodlands and  also met many professional golfers while working at golf courses throughout the metroplex.  Chad was given a putter from Freddie Couples gave Chad a putter when they met at the Colonial Country Club, and Chad has also played and worked for Mark Brooks at the Carswell Golf course in Ft. Worth, Tx.

Chad's dream was to be a professional golfer, but after the events of 9-11 and after hearing of a dream his sister had about terrorists attacking our country and hijacking an AA plane, Chad decided to join the Army.  All he could talk about was making sure he was able to go fight for our countries freedom.

Chad went to boot camp at Ft. Bennings, Ga.  He was with the 503rd 2nd ID and they immediately sent him to South Korea.  He was there about a year when his orders sent him to Iraq.  SPC Chad Snowden was a gunner on a Humvee when he took an AK-47 bullet to the forehead.  He was blown out of Humvee and laid in streets of Fallujah for 25 min. He was presumed dead, but when they flew down to pick him up, he was alive. Chad was flown to Balad, and he under went 5 hr. brains surgery to remove 30% of his frontal lobe and bullet fragments. He also had over 57 fractures in the back of his skull. After a week, they flew Chad to Landstuhl, Germany.  Within 2 days of being in Germany, the doctors said they needed him transported immediately to Walter Reed.  Chad stayed at Walter Reed until Christmas of 04 and was then transferred to Richmond, Va and on to Texas for rehab.  He has received the Purple heart and the Army Commendation Medal from the Secretary of the Army. 

Chad has been very blessed and so has our family with his recovery.  The one thing that has helped him and his quality of life is to play golf again.  Golf has played a major roll in his healing process and therapy.  His goal is to live on a golf course so he can  play golf when ever he wants to.  He has been blessed to have met Rory Sabatini and his wife Amy since his injury.  They have been very good to Chad and have blessed him in so many ways.  Just making random phone calls to see how he is and  joke a little, to playing golf with Chad when Rory's time permits from his busy professional golf schedule.  Chad had the privilege to play with Rory last year at the Pro Am day by invitation from Rory.  Chad played on his team along with George Lopez, Tony Harbor with Crown Plaza Hotels, and Mayor Mike Moncrief of Ft. Worth.  It was by far, one of the most exciting days of Chads life.  Chad also played with Rory at a tournament to honor our wounded heroes in Lakeway, Tx. and just a fun round of golf at the Colonial Country Club in Ft. Worth.  I would like to say that Rory and Amy Sabatini's involvement and the love they showed toward Chad,  made such a positive influence in his life .  This act of friendship and kindness made a difference in a life of a wounded hero to better himself.  As a mom, I will never forget what they have done for us.  Thank you Amy and Rory and to all those who have taken time out to bless not only my son but all those who have served our great country and have paid the ultimate price for our freedom we enjoy today.

Chad's goal is to try, as he gets better, to become the best golfer he can possibly be with help from family and those who can support him with the challenges he has to face.  He has a positive attitude though and has never regretted joining the Army and serving his country , to fight the war on terror and preserve the freedoms we enjoy today.  As Chad says, God Bless you mom and God Bless America.

Dennis Miller with Guest Gary Sinise talk about Southlake Independence Weekend.

Right-click here to save the podcast for this audio