Veteran Survives Mine Blast, Captivity, Now Helps Others

Twenty-five years after a landmine ended his military career, former British Army Trooper Paul Rees is transforming his trauma into hope for other veterans struggling with life after service.

In 2001, Rees was deployed in Bosnia when the Land Rover he was traveling in struck an anti-personnel mine. He woke up in a German military hospital with a fractured spine and paralyzed from the waist down.

After months of grueling rehabilitation, doctors confirmed his military career was over. But Rees says the physical injuries weren't the hardest part of his recovery.

Losing the structure, identity, and purpose that came with his uniform proved even more challenging than relearning how to navigate the world from a wheelchair. That sudden shift left him adrift in ways he hadn't anticipated.

Years later, Rees found himself in another life-threatening situation. While working in Libya during the 2011 uprising, he appeared in footage broadcast on state television, and former leader Muammar Gaddafi reportedly placed a $100,000 bounty on his head.

Rees was abducted and held captive for 21 days, enduring repeated abuse. He eventually escaped by overpowering one of his captors, a moment of courage that gave him his freedom back.

Remarkably, after recovering from the ordeal, Rees returned to Libya to continue his work.

Why This Inspires

Today, Rees channels every painful lesson into helping others through his role with Veterans for Veterans and as an ordained pastor. He works directly with ex-service personnel dealing with injury, trauma, and the often-overlooked challenges of transitioning to civilian life.

Jay Morton, who interviewed Rees for a newly released filmed conversation, emphasized that this isn't a story about military glory. It's about the consequences of service that continue long after the headlines fade and the public moves on.

Rees hopes his openness about his darkest moments will raise awareness of the ongoing support veterans need. The struggles don't end with discharge papers, he explains, and many face their toughest battles in the quiet years that follow.

His message is clear: healing is possible, community matters, and no veteran should face the aftermath of service alone.