Briton Climbs California's El Capitan to Benefit Wounded Troops

This week, British Army Maj. Phil Packer is in the midst of his latest task to raise money for wounded warriors. Packer is in California scaling the face of El Capitan in California's Yosemite National Park.

Packer started the climb on Sunday and expects to finish the 1,800 foot climb either late today or early tomorrow morning.

Since Packer lost the use of his legs from a spinal chord injury he sustained from an RPG attack in Iraq, he has dedicated himself to completing daunting physical challenges to raise money for his fellow wounded troops. To date, Packer has already reached his initial goal of raising more than one million pounds for the Help for Heroes program and he hopes to raise much more.

Last month, American Veteran Online highlighted Packer's work when he completed the Flora London Marathon.

To visit Packer's official Web site, track his progress on El Capitan, or to become involved, Click Here.

(Photo: British Maj. Phil Packer climbing the face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Photo courtesy of www.philpacker.com.)

Phil Packer's Marathon for Britain's Wounded Warriors

Last week, AMVETS received a media inquiry from CNN.com, asking about American troops who had been wounded serving in Iraq. The story, which ran throughout the last week on CNN International and CNN.com highlighted the journey of British Maj. Phil Packer, who was seriously wounded in Iraq and told he would never walk again. Here is video courtesy of CNN.



Packer set out to complete the 2009 Flora London Marathon to raise one million pounds for Britain's wounded warriors. At the steady pace of two miles per day with the assistance of crutches, Packer completed his marathon over the weekend. He was greeted with cheers from his fellow service members, and wounded warriors from around the world.

The marathon was the second piece of three physical challenges for Packer in his quest to raise one million pounds for the non-profit Help for Heroes. He has already successfully rowed across the English Channel, and next month, he will attempt to climb the El Capitan rock formation in California's Yosemite National Park. Packer remains about 170,000 pounds short of his goal. Those interested in donating to the cause should visit Packer's official Web site to learn more.

Packer's story is a true inspiration for the thousands of American and allied troops seriously injured in Iraq, and it was an honor to be included in the dialogue.

(Video: CNN package about Maj. Phil Packer's accomplishments and his new goals. Used with permission.)