UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An Army veteran and triple amputee will share his story of perseverance when he visits Penn State as a featured Military Appreciation Week speaker Nov. 5.
Bryan Anderson, who served in the Iraq War, will speak at the HUB-Robeson Center’s Flex Theater from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5, for an event that is free and open to the public. Anderson enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2001 and lost both of his legs and left hand in 2005 as a result of the injuries he sustained from a roadside bomb.
At Penn State, Anderson said he will speak about perseverance and understanding.
“Just because something bad happens, it’s not the end of the world,” he said. “I credit my recovery to good family support and keeping my mind focused on what’s in front of me, not behind me. Plus when you give it a chance, life is awesome.”
Anderson also serves as a national spokesman for Quantum Rehab and has written a memoir, “No Turning Back.” He also has acted in television shows and works as a stuntman.
The speaker event is part of a series of Penn State military appreciation events honoring military service members, veterans and their families. Penn State Military Appreciation Week started Oct. 27 with the Penn State football game against Iowa, which celebrated 100 years of women in the U.S. armed forces, and concludes Nov. 12 — the day after Veterans Day.
“It’s important to honor and support our vets because without them who knows where we would be,” Anderson said. “We should help them any chance we get.”
Visit the Penn State military appreciation website for more information on the University’s longstanding and proud tradition of serving the men and women of the military through education benefits, resources, support and more.