SAN ANTONIO – An Army Green Beret, Sgt. 1st Class Jared Bullock said he's accustomed to challenges, but the Tough Mudder race last Saturday was a test of his endurance. That's because less than a year ago Bullock lost his right arm and right leg above the knee in Afghanistan.
"Because I can't do the things I used to do, it was just to prove what I'm capable of," Bullock said after arriving back in San Antonio via private plane.
Courtesy of the Veterans Airlift Command, sponsored in San Antonio by Window World of Texas, Bullock was brought home in style.
Bullock said the Tough Mudder is a 10 to 12-mile mud race with 25 obstacles courses.
"Sometimes you have water crossings. You'll have monkey bars, 20-foot wall climbs. It varies, plus the mountains of West Virginia," Bullock said.
Even so, Bullock said he credits his support team for urging him on to the finish line.
Bullock said, "I was able to go out and do that, and for me, it's a huge overwhelming feeling of pride."
His wife Jesica Bullock was there to see it all.
"I was beyond moved by him! He was unbelievable and when after 8 miles he was still going full force, I just couldn't believe it. He's amazing," his wife said.
"I'm just glad my leg didn't fall off", Bullock said.
Bullock is still in therapy at the San Antonio Military Medical Center, and yet his wife said he finished the 10-mile race exactly 317 days after sustaining his injuries.
The round-trip flight for Bullock, his wife and support team was the 70th such trip for the Veterans Airlift Command which provides free air transportation for post-9/11 veterans and their families in need.
"There are few causes as special as this," said Martin Bomba, owner of Window World of Texas. "Knowing you can help these wounded warriors with special trips they likely wouldn't be able to make otherwise."
You can track Bullock progress on his Facebook page.