European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 05, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monday decembers 1994 the stars and stripes Page 3 sex army athlete keeps the Faith results in loss of leg but not spirit by . Allbr1ght staff writer John Register seemed to have every thing going for him. He was an army ath Lete one of the fastest 400-meter hurdle ers in the United states. And he had his Eye on the 1996 olympic trials. Then Register s dreams shattered.  his knee after he got Hung up in a hurdle last May 17 and severely damaged the pop Iteal artery. When doctors at a Wichita kan., hos Pital could t Stop the bleeding or infection they amputated his left leg . But Don t count him out. Since oct. 31,the 29-year-old former Corporal has been working As a communications specialist atthe . Army sports office m Alexan Dria va., where he will guide other Mili tary athletes toward the 96 olympic Tri als. ,-., before entering the military Register was a track Star at the University of a Kansas and graduated with a degree i journalism. As a Soldier Register was a member of he Btry 5th in 7th air defense arty Inbi Tburg Germany and his athletic accomplishments continued. In 1992, Hewon armed forces titles in the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles he went to the1992 olympic trials and finished 17th of 54 in the 400-meter hurdles. But training for him and other military athletes had been interrupted by Ameri Ca s involvement in the persian Gulf. I m a Soldier first said Register whose Vedon a multiple launch rocket sys tem unit with the 6th in 27th Field arty in the Gulf r l you have to make sacrifices and be prepared to defend your country if you re called upon Register said. I was i that situation. When i was called to operation desert shield. The Soldier comes first and the athlete comes Sec  to.  V. After the War in 1991, Register again was Able to concentrate on his athletic goals and went on to his 1992 olympic trials achievements. A "  "  -./. ,. Is Cindy kill Vonjohn Register sits in his office at the . Army sports office in Alexandria a. Accident happened As he was pre paring for this year s armed Force championships. The championships held in Kansas Are a prelude to the . Outdoor championships in Knoxville  Napier an All army teammate said he knew that Register s career was Over at the sight of his Friend on the track writhing in pain his leg contorted to the Side. I was holding his head trying to com fort him and keep him from looking at his leg and going into Complete Shock Napier said. We were singing spirituals and songs we knew from Church. That calmed him Down. A couple of people were holding his  conscious and in agony continued to Pray almost chanting. Between hallelujah he would say this hurts Man this hurts. The Only thing i. Knew to do was Praise god because i knew god was Tak ing care of me said Register the son of a presbyterian minister. I be seen athletes who get injured cuss up a storm and i did t want to do that. I was t going to defame everything i stood for he said. Napier said i almost Felt like it happened to me because John and i were so close caul in to understand How it could happen to him. It just blew me  of have to make sacrifices arid be prepared to defend your country if you re called upon the Soldier comes first and the athlete conies second.1r " _ _ John Register did t just lose another competitor lost a  Napier went on to win the 100-Meterarmed forces title in May and a Bronze medal at the All Amateur outdoor championships in the 400-meter relay team. Register said the past six months have been a roller coaster ride for him and his wife Alice. For three months he was in a medical holding company at the Brooke army medical Center in san Antonio. In be tween therapy sessions he worked As a clerk in a logistics office. In the meantime his wife lost her Job at a nursing Home in Tennessee because she was often away with him at Brooke. Fighting phantom pain and boredom he completed the initial physical therapy but goes Back periodically to have the screws tightened on his artificial leg and to Check his Progress. Two weeks after the Accident he made his first excursion outside the Hospital. His wife wheeled him to a nearby play ground. She left me under a tree and As watched her playing with John Junior i remembered All of the fun times we had swinging together. When i realized i could t just get up and join them grieved he said. The Hung his head and sobbed. After his wife comforted him he was ready to move on with his life. I Don t want people to feel sorry forme. I Don t feel sorry for myself Regis Ter said. I d rather folks talk about  s talk about it and get through it. It s worse not hearing from  _ Register was medically retired fro the army last oct. 17. With his own Rac ing Days Over he now will manage the nearly 75 army athletes in the world class. Athlete program. The athlete from All ranks will be focusing their train ing for the next 18 months on the olym Pic trials. The Cap members representing 10olympic sports train at locations across the United states and Are typically As signed to Reserve units. Their Mission is army sport of Floc John Register wears his Gold medal for the 400-meter hurdles at the . Armed forces championships in 1992. To stay competitive for the trials this year boxers swimmers cyclists shooters and runners Are among the Field. Tom Hia Yacek the sports information director said John s Job is to maximize the army s efforts to ensure that Ever Soldier athlete who has potential to make the olympic team for Atlanta in 96 does  a a / y4.-. Register will keep track of Cap participants As they Progress through various competitions Ana win also recruit athletes into the program for future olympics since his Accident. Register has hear from generals teammates and other Well wishers. The prayers letters and cards have been overwhelming Register said. A he got a Call from Gen. Frederick  jr., commander of the . Army training & doctrine come at fort Mon Roe a. Franks is a below the knee amputee because of injuries he received incamb6diadufing the Vietnam War. He was my commander in the persian Gulf said Register who was a single and multiple Channel radio communications systems operator. Franks was commander of Vii corp during the persian Gulf War when general Franks called it waste first person i talked to who had an amputation. It kind of stood out because he understood what i was going through Register said. George Price Pitburg s athletic director called Register at the Hospital shortly after the Accident. He was upbeat and accepted that this was what god wanted him to do Price said. I know he has something inside of Pirn that makes him a better person than most. Hell make it. He s a thorough bred he can run the Derby  Register s Pitburg unit sent him a computerized Banner with signatures from fellow soldiers. They went out of their Way for me and i will always have a special place in my heart for them he said. Although time is dulling the pain Hewill still feel As if his left foot is split open or his left calf has intense cramps. I know i la never run at that level of Competition again Register said but i will run.". _ Napier who is preparing to go to Loui Siana state University in Baton Rouge to train for the olympic trials said if you have a Strong Faith like John has you can never lose