blockridge@themeridianstar.com



Twenty seven-year-old Kortney Clemons is getting a lot of attention these days– and that attention is very well deserved. With a new biography entitled, “Amped” coming out in July, many will be learning a lot more about Clemons who served in the war in Iraq as a U.S. Army medic.

Clemons explains that his time in Baghdad went fairly smooth until February 21, 2004.

“We were just doing a routine patrol,” Clemons said. “We came across a Hum V that was turned over, and we stopped by to help out. I was the only medic so I jumped out to assist them, and then there was an explosion.”

Clemons said that he was disoriented from the blast and evetually passed out from shock. Two days later Clemons awoke to find himself in Germany, and one of his legs amputated above the knee.

“At that point I was still in shock, in denial, a ‘Why me?’ phase.” Clemons said.

When Kortney finally made it back to the states, he says that finally getting into a reunite with his family and friends really improved his

state of mind.

“I just got busy doing the things I could do, and I was staying pretty busy just doing that. I could have easily focused on the things that I was no longer able to do, but I had to get moving, and then I saw opportunities come to me,” Clemons explained.

Clemons has touched numerous people just by simply pushing forward and showing others that a disability should not slow a person down. It was many encounters by individuals who were inspired by Kortney that pushed him to move forward with his biography.

“The book has a lot to do with my life growing up, and it does touch on the war,” Kortney said. “It does talk about the day of my injury, but it also describes typical days I experienced over there. I had a ghost writer by the name of Bill Briggs help me out with this. We were able to do some research on different people and do some interviews, and try to get their side of the story.”

Memorial Day has a much more profound meaning for Kortney due to his experience in the Middle East.

“We should be greatful that we live here, and that we have things we have. I’m thankful that I’m still here, and I’m very thankful for everyone out there who paid the ultimate sacrifice for my country,” he said.

Along with the book, Clemons also mentioned that a producer recently visited him and shot footage to be used in a future documentary. There are deals being made for different companies like HBO and the Discovery Channel.