Duckworth, a bilateral amputee, lost both legs and partial use of one arm in 2004 when an insurgent shot down the Army Black Hawk helicopter she was co-piloting in Iraq. At the time, she was a captain in the Illinois Army National Guard.

Now a major in the National Guard, Duckworth still serves on some weekends.

Since her recovery at Walter Reed (which lasted nearly a year), Duckworth has dedicated her life to public service. She serves as a national advocate on behalf of other veterans, regularly addressing a wide variety of issues facing veterans. She has testified before both the U.S. House and Senate regarding medical care and employment for returning veterans.

Walter Reed’s Annual Easter Sunrise Service set for April 4 in Rose Garden

Walter Reed’s 84th Annual Easter Sunrise Service is April 4 at 6:30 a.m. in the Walter Reed Rose Garden on the main installation.

Walter Reed’s Easter Sunrise Service, which is nondenominational, is one of the oldest in the Washington, D.C. region.

Air Force Chief of Chaplains Maj. Gen. Cecil R. Richardson is scheduled to be guest speaker at the service, which will be followed by a continental breakfast in the Wagner Sports Center across from the Rose Garden. In case of inclement weather, the service will also be moved into the Wagner Sports Center.

Chaplain Richardson began his career as an enlisted intercept operator and Russian interpreter. He has served two assignments as a senior Protestant chaplain and two as a wing chaplain. Prior to his present position, he served as the deputy chief of Air Force chaplains.