Noah Galloway Archives

By Debbie Gregory.

The competition on “Dancing With the Stars” has been tough. Really tough. Two of the final four couples ended the semifinals with a perfect score. But that’s not what brought Noah Galloway to his knees. In one of the most memorable moments of the show, Galloway proposed to girlfriend Jamie Boyd.

Galloway got a standing ovation when he kneeled and proposed to Boyd after his score was revealed. The tender proposal, after he danced to “Time of My Life” was made even more special when Galloway told Boyd that she had given him the time of his life. Boyd hugged and kissed Galloway: “I’m speechless, and I’m never speechless. Oh, baby, I love you so much!” she said, and when Andrews asked her “Is that a yes?” Boyd replied: “Oh, heck yes!”

Galloway said that it “was just a moment I wanted to share with America, because so much of our relationship has been shared because of this show.”

Galloway is a former Army soldier who lost his arm and leg while serving in Iraq. The Birmingham, Alabama native was severely injured by an IED in 2005. He has consistently overcome his physical challenges, working as a personal trainer and also modeling.

The couple has been surprising each other throughout the competition. Boyd surprised her now fiancé during week two of the show, by coming out of nowhere to celebrate his participation in the competition for the prized “Mirror Ball.” Galloway thought she was away at basic training.

Boyd said Galloway tricked her by saying that she would be on camera when the hosts cut to her to ask her how he was doing, so she got a nice dress. Fortunately, for Galloway, Ms. Boyd will once again be shopping for a new dress; the one she will be wearing on the day when they both say, “I do!”

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard,Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: A Very Public Proposal: By Debbie Gregory

By Debbie Gregory

Veterans: it is time to support one of your own, as medically retired Army Sergeant Noah Galloway is need of your votes while competing on the hit ABC show “Dancing with the Stars.”

Noah Galloway served in the 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. On December 19, 2005, during his second deployment to Iraq, Sgt. Galloway was wounded by a roadside bomb. Five days after the IED attack, Galloway woke up at a hospital in Germany. The explosion that nearly killed him resulted in him losing his left arm and left leg above the knee.

Previous to sustaining his injuries, Galloway had not only been a fit soldier, but a work-out fanatic and competitive athlete. After his release from the hospital and rehabilitation, Galloway became depressed, started drinking, and let himself get out of shape. One day, he took along, hard look in the mirror and decided to change what was reflected. He didn’t want to just see his injuries, knowing that there was much more to who he was than just that. He decided to get back into shape and inspire others.

Noah is now a personal trainer and motivational speaker. The wounded warrior also participates in 5K and 10K races, as well as grueling Tough Mudder and Spartan races. Noah doesn’t make excuses for himself, and won’t allow his clients to make excuses for not being able to accomplish their goals.

Noah successfully changed the image of the man that he saw in the mirror. In November, 2014, he was on the cover of Men’s Health Magazine, and was named the publication’s “Ultimate Guy” for 2014. Noah has also been on various talk shows, and created the No Excuses Charitable Fund. Now, in an attempt to inspire others and raise awareness for his charitable causes, Noah is taking on the ballroom, competitors and judges on “Dancing with the Stars.”

Noah faces several different challenges that the show’s first double amputee contestant, Amy Purdy, didn’t. Purdy, who finished in third place, had both of her legs amputated below the knees. Noah, however, has his leg amputated above the knee, meaning that he has an artificial joint and not as much control. Also, male ballroom dancers traditionally lead with their left arm. These two obstacles will present challenges for Noah and his partner, Sharna Burgess, but they aren’t making any excuses.

Together, Sharna and Noah, dubbed #TeamShway, are already creating quite a stir on the dance floor. Week 1 of Season 20 aired on March 16, 2015. Team Shway danced the cha-cha, and finished to thunderous applause and a standing ovation. They received a middle-of-the-pack score of 26 out of 40. All teams are safe in week one. But from now on, #TeamShway needs your vote to keep dancing throughout the season.

Veterans, be sure to watch Noah and #TeamShway on DWTS and vote at www.abc.com, on Facebook, or by calling 1 (855) 234-5605.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.