Scott Air Force Base, Ill. -- This year's Air Force Ball, which will take place Sept. 17, will feature Staff Sgt. Alex Eudy as the guest speaker.
"I'm looking forward to attending the ball as it's a great way to help our younger airman learn about our history and traditions," Eudy said.
Eudy joined the Air Force in Aug. 2004 after graduating from high school, and after 30 weeks of technical school for weather forecasting, he received his first assignment to Sembach, Germany, as a weather forecaster. During his second assignment to the Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Eudy cross-trained to become a Special Operations Weather Technician and received deployment orders with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron in the fall of 2008.
During the deployment, Eudy, then a Senior Airman, was injured in an improvised explosive device blast Jan. 23, 2009, while serving with Marine Special Operators. The accident crushed both his feet and ankles. Throughout multiple extensive surgeries and more than eight months of intense rehabilitation, one of Eudy's major concerns was figuring out how he could return to duty and remain within the AFSOC community.
"I faced many obstacles during the healing process," said Eudy. "Not only learning how to walk again, but also working to stay on active duty and finding a way to serve again."
After he returned to Hurlburt Field, Fla., in July 2009, he began providing administrative support for the AFSOC Special Tactics Unit. Then, in March 2010, Eudy was selected to serve as the AFSOC liaison for the Special Operations Command Care Coalition.
"I provide special operations members of all service components with oversight and advocacy through the medical system from the initial date of injury, return to duty, or separation from the armed forces," Eudy said. "So much exists to take care of the medical and physical needs of wounded troops, but we get to step in and take care of the warrior spirit to get our troops back in combat."
During the upcoming ball, Eudy will speak not only about his experiences but also unsung heroes throughout Air Force history.
"I will be speaking about different airmen who have impacted Air Force history, but are lesser known," Eudy said. "I hope to challenge people to continue to serve at a high caliber and never forget where the legacy of the American Airman comes from."