LONDON, May 9, 2009
Injured Vet Completes Marathon In 13 Days
CBS Evening News: British Iraq War Veteran Sought To Raise 1 Million Pounds For His Fellow Wounded Soldiers
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Play CBS Video Video Marathon Man CBS News? Mark Phillips reports from London, where British Amy Major Phil Packer inspired many of his competitors and viewers alike through his inspirational run in a recent marathon.
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British Army Iraq War veteran Phil Packer participates in the London marathon. Packer completed the 26.2 miles of the marathon in 13 days, and has nearly completed his other goal: raising 1 million British pounds for the charity Help for Heroes, which assists wounded veterans. (CBS)
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Phil Packer crosses the finish line in the London marathon. Packer, a British Army soldier who was severely injured in a rocket attack in the Iraq War, completed the marathon in 13 days. (CBS)
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And no winner of the race ever heard such cheers, as CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips reports.
The few hours it takes to run a marathon can seem like an eternity, even to its able-bodied participants. But among the thousands who set out on London's marathon 13 days ago was one man who knew his battle would take a lot longer than the rest.
Major Phil Packer of the British Army had been told after a rocket attack in Basra 15 months ago that he would never walk again. But he was intent not just on walking, but on walking the more than twenty-six miles of this marathon. And intent on trying to raise a million British pounds - about $1.5 million - for an injured soldiers' charity called Help For Heroes. He'd done the arithmetic.
Using a kind of crutch on each arm, Packer moved along, greeted at each turn by photographers, cheering crowds, police officers and everyday people offering a word of encouragement.
"It was 15 pounds a step. And I think that with 25,000 people watching, 15 pound a step will get me to the million and I'd be absolutely delighted," Packer said.
Anyone who knows Packer knew he wouldn't quit. He had already astounded people by skydiving and by rowing the 20 treacherous miles across the English Channel to France, pulling as hard as the other man in the boat.
So when Major Packer finally crossed the marathon finish line today, no one was surprised at his tenacity - or his humility.
"Just remembering exactly what it's about and it's looking out after other injured servicemen. It's supporting Help for Heroes and I think that's where the attention and focus should be, not on me," he said.
That's not what his mother thought.
"It was just the most amazing feeling to see him on his feet crossing that line; yes, absolutely amazing," Angela Packer said.
Maj. Packer has accomplished his marathon objective. His fund raising-objective is about three quarters of the way to its target, and closing fast.
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Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective.
When we are beset by the largesse and selfishness of those in leading positions throughout society---those whose moral and ethical example is excrement to the human spirit---it is necessary that someone---from time to time---comes along and reminds us
what the true moral and ethical values of the human spirit are all about!
You accomplished that reminder, sir! Good show!
God bless