Losing both his legs led this DC-based veteran to new heights — literally

Courtesy Neil Duncan

Courtesy Neil Duncan

Courtesy Neil Duncan ( 1 /3)

Neil Duncan was just 17 years old when the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks occurred. Like many others, it motivated him to join the Army to become a paratrooper.

He served in Iraq and then Afghanistan. In 2005, about 10 months into that deployment, the vehicle Duncan was riding in rolled over an improvised explosive device, or IED, and exploded.

Duncan who now lives in D.C., said he woke up two weeks later at Walter Reed Medical Center.

“My jaw was wired shut and my arms were immobilized and my legs were gone,” he told WTOP.

Losing both of his legs did not sour him on military service or his life outlook. In fact, Duncan said his experience in the military is what motivated him to move forward.

“Not giving up, stayi