Real-life action hero inspires

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.comTimes Leader Staff Writer

WEST PITTSTON – Everything happens for a reason.

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Learn more about Bryan Anderson

“I firmly believe that,” said Bryan Anderson, as he took a break from signing his autograph on comic books and other items Friday afternoon at Max Saturdays comic book store.

The triple-amputee lost both legs and his left hand while serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq. Some people in Anderson’s position might have spiraled into a deep depression, looked for pity or decided that life was meaningless. Instead Anderson used the life-changing incident as a motivator in his life; and, in turn, he motivates others.

The incidents of Oct. 23, 2005, the day Anderson was on patrol in a Humvee and an improvised explosive device was detonated, are detailed in a Captain America comic book that was released on Wednesday.

While others read comic books for entertainment and escapism, Anderson lived the basic story that’s detailed in colorful cartoon panels.

“My legs were on the floorboard; my hand was in the passenger seat,” Anderson, 28, recalled. As a result of his injuries, he was awarded a Purple Heart. He spent 13 months undergoing rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Hospital and is one of the few triple amputees to have survived his injuries in Iraq.

His story appeared in Esquire magazine, and newspapers in Los Angeles, New York and his hometown of Chicago. He became a motivational speaker and works with Quantum Rehab, a division of Exeter-based Pride Mobility Corp., as a product tester and spokesman.

Everything happens for a reason.

Anderson was selected to speak at the CUSP Conference in Chicago in 2008. The event brings together forward thinkers from all facets of life. Among the fellow 26 speakers was Paul Jenkins. The two became friends and discussed their lives.

Jenkins, a comic book writer for Marvel whose portfolio includes comics featuring superheroes Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Batman and even the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, asked Anderson if he could use his story in a Captain America comic book.

Anderson said the answer was a no-brainer.

“It’s kind of cool. I’ve never been a cartoon before,” he said with a laugh.

The project got under way quickly and though Anderson didn’t have much say in the final product, he said it came out much better than he expected. Though there were some editorial freedoms used, the overall story is pretty accurate to what happened to him in Iraq and his recovery and rehabilitation. With the major exception that Captain America wasn’t actually alongside him in Baghdad.

Everything happens for a reason.

After graduating from high school, Anderson took a job as a ground crew chief at O’Hare Airport for American Airlines in Chicago.

“My life was routine,” Anderson said. “I needed to change. I wanted to experience the world.”

He enlisted in the Army in 2001 expecting to experience the world. The day he was set to ship out changed everything. It was Sept. 11. He wound up as a sergeant in a military police unit in Iraq.

But the war, and the impact on his life, is not a negative, he said.

“Everything happens for a reason. I was meant to be like this,” Anderson said. “I don’t even see this as a tragedy anymore. It’s something that’s opened up other doors for me.” He said if he served without injury he’d likely have returned home to Chicago and resumed his job with the airline.

Instead he’s seeing the country, meeting people going through life-changing injuries or those who help people get through those injuries like occupational or physical therapists.

“My dreams haven’t changed just because of what’s happened to me. It’s really rewarding work. I get to meet new people and hopefully help inspire them. That’s really worth it to me and that’s what it’s really all about,” Anderson said.

Everything happens for a reason.

Anderson didn’t read comic books growing up.

He played sports and competed as an accomplished gymnast in state-level competitions in Illinois. But he’s made a name for himself more without his legs than with.

He really didn’t know who Paul Jenkins was until they met in 2008. Had he remained an airline employee, it’s doubtful their lives would have crossed paths.

There are so many ifs that have shaped his life: Had he not enlisted in the Army. Had the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 not happened. Had that explosive device failed to detonate. Had he chosen not to share his story with the media. Had he not decided to serve as an inspiration to others.

No comic book, no appearances on television shows like “CSI:NY,” “All My Children,” the HBO documentary “Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq,” or in the film “The Wrestler.” In addition, he is a spokesman for USA Cares, a nonprofit organization that is focused on assisting post-Sept. 11 veterans in times of need.

He said the entire experience equates “to a childhood dream.”

“I’m still in shock about it. It does immortalize you,” Anderson said.

Max Saturdays store owner Sam Chairge, a comic book aficionado, said he’s never met a comic book character before. That’s because rarely are comic books based on real people.

“It’s pretty rare,” Chairge said. “This is very unusual.”

Everything happens for a reason?

Anderson said Jenkins has a history of placing friends into comic books “but he usually kills them.”

“He asked me if I wanted to live or die,” Anderson said with a laugh. “He chose to keep me alive.”

He joked that maybe he’ll make cameos in other Jenkins’ penned comics in the future because his character is still out there in the comic book world.

As he left the store in his wheelchair he shook hands with customers. He left behind a stack of autographed pictures for future customers and signed a copy of “Captain America Theater of War: To Soldier On.”

In addition to his name, he wrote two words in black marker. They are words he’s always lived by, whether he had his own natural legs or the prosthetic ones he gets around with on occasion. Only now they have a much deeper meaning to him and those who read them.

“Live life.”

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