Message from the Mountain

April 2026 / Issue 22

Mr. Inspiration

It was June 14, 1969, and the war in Vietnam was raging. Bob Weiland was a US Army Combat Medic, attached to the 25th Infantry Division. While on patrol, his unit triggered a mortar round that had been booby trapped. When Bob rushed forward to render aid he stepped on a large mine himself, instantly separating him from his legs.

Bob survived the ordeal and underwent a grueling recovery, losing both of his legs and learning how to adapt. He carried the gauntlet of recovery as he became an athlete of epic proportions. Bob earned the bantamweight bench press world record with a 303-pound lift, just eight years after his legs were amputated. Although, his best bench press lift was 507 lbs! Soon, Bob became bored with weightlifting and opted to walk across the United States, from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. The destination was the Vietnam War Memorial, better known as the Wall.

Setting out on Sept. 8, 1983 in Los Angeles, he arrived May 14, 1986, in Washington D.C. where he went to the Wall, to honor his fallen brother he was attempting to save, when he stepped on the mine. This feat took him three years, eight months, and six days. The total mileage was over 2700 miles and a bit shy of 5 million steps. Such an amazing feat for a man with no legs. The humor that Bob has is evident, when asked about his time in the Army, after his injury. The Army thought he needed psychiatry. Bob said, “I went in and talked to the psychiatrist 30 to 35 minutes. But I finally got him straightened out.”

Sometimes, inspiration comes from the most amazing places. Reading Bob's story and learning about his dedication to life is a breath of fresh air. I hear rumor that a documentary is being made about Bob and his story. I appreciate his motivation and think about his quote often, “I try to encourage people with simply this, always remember it’s too soon to quit.”

Art that Inspires

By Jeffrey Pryor

I want to share some wonderful news. Sheri Haupt has decided to share her art with us, and has made it available on the interwebs. I had the pleasure of sneaking a photo from her here and there, and posting them in the newsletter. If you have been to the Mobility Mountain website, you have seen her work. Sheri is the treasurer for Mobility Mountain.

It is so wonderful to see her reach out and offer her works to the public. Sheri has been taking photos of wildlife for a long time. Her ability to capture wildlife in unique ways sets her apart from others. She has the eye of the tiger, in the photo world. I share this information and hope that you visit her website and socials, to see that same magic that I have.

Sheri has joined the push to make nature accessible, in her own way. It is so exciting to see her work out there, finally. I can now quit begging her to show it off. Take some time and peruse her website and her series of collections. I think you might be impressed, and you never know, you might just want some of that art for your walls. You can help make nature accessible with Art that Inspires.

Thank you for reading.

www.profoundlynature.com

Instagram: #profoundly_nature

Facebook: profoundly nature