Sal Katz

After serving his country for 32 years in the United States Army, Command Sergeant Major Sal Katz had spent a lifetime leading others through some of the most demanding situations imaginable. A combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Sal dedicated his career to serving others before eventually settling in Pueblo, Colorado, with his wife.

But earlier this year, a different kind of battle began.

Following triple bypass heart surgery, Sal found himself facing something he hadn’t expected. The physical recovery was only part of the challenge. Rebuilding his confidence, motivation, and sense of self proved just as difficult.

“I was just feeling in a rut,” Sal recalled. “I was trying to motivate myself and move forward.”

Wanting a way to safely regain his strength, Sal reached out to Freedom Mobility Foundation. Together, they found a solution that would help him return to an active lifestyle: a MOD Bikes Easy Sidecar 3, complete with a sidecar for his dog, Koda. What started as a new way to exercise quickly became something much more meaningful. On only his second ride, Sal and Koda traveled nearly 50 miles through Pueblo, riding from the reservoir to downtown and throughout the community he now calls home.

“It was a breath of fresh air,” he said. “It showed me I could continue living an active life even after triple bypass heart surgery.”

That ride marked the beginning of a new routine.

Today, Sal rides his bike several times each week. He’s also walking four to five miles a day, using the elliptical, and participating in water aerobics. What once felt like an uphill climb has become a lifestyle built around movement, wellness, and continued recovery.

Before receiving the bike, Sal admits he often hesitated to exercise. Although he wasn’t physically unable, rebuilding his stamina after surgery felt intimidating. The bike gave him a safe, enjoyable way to regain both his endurance and his confidence.

“It helped me focus on my recovery and find a safe way to rebuild my strength,” he said.

The impact has extended well beyond his physical health. Sal says he feels more positive, more outgoing, and more engaged with the people around him. Instead of wondering what life after surgery would look like, he’s looking ahead with optimism. When asked what freedom means to him today, his answer reflected the perspective of someone who has spent a lifetime serving others.

“Freedom is the ability to live life with purpose, confidence, and independence again,” Sal said. “It’s not measured by how fast or how far I can go. It’s measured by the ability to keep moving forward one day at a time.”

That mindset continues to guide him in retirement. Today, Sal serves as the Director of the Mount Carmel Veterans Service Center in Pueblo, where he advocates for fellow veterans and helps connect them with the resources they need. Even after leaving active duty, his commitment to serving others remains unchanged.

To the donors who made his recovery possible, Sal hopes they understand the lasting impact of their generosity.

“They invested in me,” he said “Not only in my health and recovery, but in my quality of life.”

He believes their kindness reaches far beyond a single gift. It restored his confidence, strengthened his recovery, and reminded him that even after life’s biggest setbacks, there is still a path forward.

For Sal, every ride is more than exercise. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t just about recovering from surgery, it’s about rediscovering the confidence to embrace each new day and continue moving forward.