Salute Story 2: The Long Journey of Dan Casara
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Salute Story 2: Dan Casara’s Long Journey Back

Iraq Veteran Takes Each Day One Step at a Time

With the Golden Tee Players Charity Championship fast approaching, we thought you’d like to hear first-hand how Salute helps our veterans. Here’s Dan Casara’s story.

In September 2005, Sgt. Dan Casara’s tank was hit by a roadside bomb. 5 fellow soldiers were wounded. 2 of them were killed. Dan’s body was mangled in the blast. He suffered bilateral fractures to his right tibia and fibula, a shattered left tibia, both heel and ankle bones were shattered in both feet, and a dislocated right hip. He knew it was bad. He just didn’t know how bad.

“They did their best patching me up,” he said. “But I wasn’t prepared to hear that they said I wouldn’t regain the use of my legs. They recommended amputation.”

DanThe Army had trained Dan to be a fighter. He was skilled at his duties and understood the risks associated with war. But being told that he would lose his legs was not something he could accept.

“There was no way I was going to allow them to amputate my legs without a fight first,” he said. “So I said no, please do your best to save them.”

The army surgeons did their best. First one surgery. Then another. And another. All together Dan has undergone 24 surgeries on his legs during the past 5 years. The surgeries were brutal, but it was the thousands of hours of painful physical therapy that Dan recalls the most.

“I knew I didn’t have a choice. If I wanted to walk again I had to endure it.”

Slowly Dan started to regain use of his limbs. The progress was minimal at first, but encouraging. Set backs were common, but through great determination and strength of will – along with the encouragement of family, friends and his physical therapists – Dan can walk today. He lives with constant pain but compared to the alternative it’s nothing he can’t handle.

”I’m so fortunate to be where I am today. I look at my fellow wounded veterans and many are in very bad shape. I thank the lord that I’m still alive.”

In between surgeries when he was laid up Dan needed a laptop since it was very difficult for him to sit at a computer.

“The Wounded Heroes Foundation suggested that I contact Salute to see if a laptop was available. Mary Beth and Will stepped right up to help me. They do a fantastic job of helping vets with financial aid and filling in the gaps that the government doesn’t provide. They’re a godsend for many of us.”

Today Dan travels the country to promote awareness of the plight of our wounded veterans. He’s been asked to participate in wheelchair events and has even hand-cycled the past two Chicago Marathons. He’ll miss the PCC because of a previous commitment to hand-cycle a 24-hour, 197-mile relay from Mt. Hood to the Pacific Ocean.

“I wish I could be at Splinters to meet all the Golden Tee players,” he said. “To think that a group of video game players would take the time and make the effort to help Salute – and veterans – is fantastic. You guys are doing a truly wonderful thing.”

Dan plays Golden Tee at the Boss Bar in Chicago. And like us, he stands up when he plays.

“I love Golden Tee, but just like real golf my short game isn’t too great, but I can sure drive the ball!”


Golden Tee 2010

Rock On.