J. R. Salzman
| Darrell Salzman | |
|---|---|
 Salzman (left) in 2007, learning diving at Walter Reed after his injury | |
| Nickname(s) | "J.R." |
| Born |
1979 (age 36–37) Hayward, Wisconsin |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | Minnesota Army National Guard |
| Years of service | 2003–2007 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 34th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Operation Iraqi Freedom (WIA) |
| Awards |
Purple Heart Iraq Campaign Medal Combat Infantry Badge |
| Other work | logroller |
Darrell "J.R." Salzman (born 1979) is a champion logroller and an Iraq War veteran. ESPN has called him "among the preeminent outdoors athletes" of the last decade.[1]
Salzman grew up in Hayward, Wisconsin.[1] His sisters, Tina Bosworth and Crystal Salzman, are also top logrollers.[2] He attended the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin–Stout.
Sports career
Salzman was a competitor in log rolling and boom running, a sprint on floating logs, in all six seasons of ESPN's Great Outdoor Games, winning 14 medals (more than any other player). In 2005 he was awarded the Best Outdoor Sportsman ESPY.[1]
Between 1998 and 2010, he won eight world titles at the Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward.[1]
Salzman used his log rolling skills as a stuntman in the film Cheaper by the Dozen 2.[3]
Injury in Iraq
Salzman joined the National Guard, enlisting shortly after the two-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. His unit was activated as part of the 34th Infantry Division in the fall of 2005[1] and in the spring of 2006, he was deployed to Iraq.
On December 19, 2006, his vehicle was struck by an Explosively Formed Penetrator. His right arm was severed below the elbow, his left hand was pulverized by the blast, and he suffereed a traumatic brain injury. He recovered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and a nearby Fisher House, learning to use a prosthetic arm and recover his physical skills. He is considered 100 percent physically disabled.[3] Nevertheless, after returning to Hayward, he successfully logrolled again, practicing with and without his prosthetic. Salzman returned to competition, and won a log rolling world title in 2009.
Personal life
Salzman runs a milblog, "Lumberjack in a Desert", on which he has recounted his military life and his medical recovery. When he completes his education, he hopes to go into teaching.[3] Salzman married his girlfriend, Josie Salzman, on March 10, 2006 before he deployed to Iraq. They have since divorced. Together they have one son.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Sam Eifling (October 1, 2007). "The Recovery of J.R. Salzman: The world champion logroller survived an attack in Iraq last winter — but the real fight has been the nine months since". ESPN. Archived from the original on November 13, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- ↑ Mark Stewart (July 11, 2004). "Agile siblings roll to gold: Brother, sister rule the logs". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- 1 2 3 Pamela Powers (September 16, 2007). "No looking back: Despite losing his right hand in Iraq, a UW–Stout student has no regrets about serving his country. Now he's set his sights on a teaching career and a return to logrolling.". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved 2007-11-13.
External links
- Lumberjack in a Desert - Salzman's blog