Colonel Greg Gadson To Speak At Possibilities Luncheon Benefiting Siskin Hospital

Siskin Hospital has announced that Colonel Greg Gadson will be the guest speaker at the 11th Annual “Possibilities: Siskin Hospital Celebrates Life Beyond Disability” Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

About Colonel Greg Gadson:

As a 25-year career United States Army Officer, Colonel Greg Gadson’s life is a portrait of courage in the face of great adversity. Colonel Gregory Gadson began his military career when he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of Field Artillery in 1989 from West Point. He has served in every major conflict of the past two decades, including Operations Desert Shield/Storm in Kuwait, Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia- Herzegovina, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Colonel Gadson’s awards include the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. He is a graduate of Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Additionally, he holds Masters Degrees in Information Systems from Webster University and in Policy Management from Georgetown University. He also holds an honorary Doctorate of Law from Webster University. 

In May 2007, as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 32 Field Artillery, Colonel Gadson’s greatest challenge came in Iraq, where an Improvised Explosive Device attack cost him both legs above the knees and badly damaged his right arm and hand. Refusing to be defined by the proverbial “hail of bullets,” Colonel Gadson has drawn upon the lessons of Pride, Poise and Team learned as a West Point linebacker, and applied them to his life, career, and family. Colonel Gadson remained on active duty in the Army and continued to inspire many with his message of courage, perseverance, determination, and teamwork.

In 2007, New York Giants Assistant Coach and Colonel Gadson’s former West Point teammate, Mike Sullivan, asked him to meet with the then-struggling football team. Colonel Gadson talked to the players about service, teamwork, duty, perseverance, and adversity. He mentored the Giants since then by serving as an Honorary Team Captain.

He became part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Internship Program at Georgetown in 2008, only a year after his injury. After graduating from the program, this decorated war hero served as the director of the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program. Colonel Gadson also played the role of a wounded Army veteran in the Sci-Fi movie, Battleship, released in 2012.

On June 25, 2012, Colonel Gadson again became a leader of our nation’s military as a Garrison Commander of Fort Belvoir, Va. He oversees the daily operations of the strategic sustaining base where more than 50,000 military personnel serve the Department of Defense. Colonel Gadson, a married father of two teenagers, has continued to lead and inspire the Soldiers and nation by being a living representation of the Army Values- “Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.” 

The Possibilities Luncheon will also feature an inspirational video that highlights personal stories of three Siskin Hospital patients who have overcome their disabilities. Their recovery stories of love, courage, and perseverance show that with hope life can be full of possibilities, said officials.

A steering committee is working with Siskin Hospital employees to help coordinate the luncheon. Ryan and Boofie Crimmins are the 2014 steering committee co-chairs. The Possibilities Luncheon is Siskin Hospital’s only community-wide fundraising event, with proceeds helping to provide needed services for patients without adequate insurance to cover the cost of their care. 

Individual tickets to the event are $75. Platinum sponsorship tables of eight are available for $3,000, Crystal sponsorship tables of eight for $2,000 and Patron sponsorship tables of eight for $1,000. For more information or to reserve a place at the Possibilities Luncheon, please contact Sandy Howell by phone at 634-1208 or by email at showell@siskinrehab.org. Online registration and donation opportunities are available by visiting www.SiskinRehab.org.