National Guard Airman speaks to other Guardsman about his career goals after leg amputation

National Guard Staff Sgt. Russell Logan from the 164th Security Forces Squadron, Tennessee Air National Guard, speaks to Airmen of the 165th Airlift Wing at the Georgia Air National Guard base at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Ga., May 22, 2012. Logan's left leg was amputated due to wounds resulting from a detonated landmine at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Delano/Released)

National Guard Airmen gives motivational talk about recovering from an amputated leg

National Guard Staff Sgt. Russell Logan from the 164th Security Forces Squadron, Tennessee Air National Guard, addresses the 165th Airlift Wing Airmen at the Georgia Air National Guard base at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Ga., May 22, 2012. Logan's left leg was amputated due to wounds resulting from a detonated landmine at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Delano/Released)

Tennessee Guardsman visits Savannah with Message of Hope

Published May 23, 2012
By Tech. Sgt. Charles Delano
165th Airlift Wing

Savannah, Ga., May 22, 2012 -- Staff Sgt. Russell Logan approached the podium with a smile as he looked over the room full of Georgia Air National Guard Airmen. His walk did not divulge the amputated leg about which he would soon speak. Logan described how he was investigating a local farmer outside the wire at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan on May 8, 2011 when he stepped on a landmine. He followed up by recounting the numerous military medical professionals he encountered during his Medivac trip to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in German and transport to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He relayed a message of hope and encouragement for Airmen and their families that are facing discouragement about deployments and may be enduring tough situations. "Security Forces Airmen do not scream, they give motivational yells", said Logan as the crowd laughed. He finished his story with a challenge for all Airmen to visit wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.