Motivated, dedicated - a step above the rest

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Giovanni Sims
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  They may be dramatically visible – a missing limb or facial scar. They may also dwell beneath the skin’s surface as mental trauma that persists long after its elicited events. For many veterans, their wounds are obstacles; but for one, there is nothing that can hinder his strive for excellence.

After serving 14 years, a misfortune occurred that prevented U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Derrall Peach Jr. from legally doing his job as a ground transportation craftsman with the 355th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

“Last January, I was injured while lifting weights,” said Peach. “I started having headaches and blurred vision, and I eventually ended up in the hospital for a week. I had completely lost all central and peripheral vision in my right eye and doctors found lesions on my brain that were causing these chronic migraines.”

Peach now serves as an administrator with the Airman & Family Readiness Center, but as a natural competitor, he needed an avenue to hone his competitive edge. Fortunately, the Air Force provided an opportunity for him to keep his strong-willed spirit.

“I love to compete, but after my injury I was unsure if competing was still a reality,” Peach said. “Luckily, I attended an Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) program adaptive sports event, and all those doubts were suddenly gone and a fire was reignited in me.”

Peach was selected to join more than 150 athletes at the 2018 Air Force Trials camp at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where he qualified along with 39 others to make the Air Force team for the 2018 Warrior Games. Each athlete participated in the tryouts across various sports to include archery, rowing, seated volleyball, wheelchair basketball, swimming, and track and field.

Though there were many challenges that Peach faced along the way, staying true to himself was important not just for him, but for his family and teammates.

“People have this misconception that everything is alright,” said Peach. “There’s a lot behind the scenes that I don’t talk about, but even on a bad day I want to be a positive person smiling and laughing. That’s just who I am.”

Peach continues to be inspired and motivated by friends and family while teaching his children that “you can do anything you put your mind to.”

“My biggest inspiration is my family,” said Peach. “Both of my children are special needs and the reason why I do this is because I want to let them know that they are able to obtain goals they didn’t think were possible. I want to show them that I’m not letting my disabilities stop me and they shouldn’t either.”

Editor's note: Peach competed in the 2018 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and won a gold medal in the 50 meter backstroke; silver medals in the 50 meter freestyle, 100 meter freestyle, shot put and discus events; and a bronze medal in the 88.01-107 kilogram powerlifting category.