After all, her last visit to Thailand was 22 years ago. Ladda, born to Thai mother and American father, has an exceptional life. She almost lost her life during an attack in Iraq in 2004. She has served as commander of a Blackhawk Helicopter Company.

She also flew more than 200 combat hours as a Blackhawk pilot. It was during a mission in November 2004 in Iraq that a rocket-propelled grenade struck the cockpit of her helicopter and exploded; Duckworth suffered grave injuries, and lost both her legs. The injury changed her life, she said. Later on, she ran for a seat in the US Congress in 2006. She narrowly lost. But don't count her out from the American political scene yet.

 The listeners are also invited to join the webchat, organised by the US embassy. The programme will be conducted in both English and Thai and will take place on Thursday, June 14, 2007, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Please visit the U.S. Embassy Bangkok website at http://bangkok.usembassy.gov for instructions on how to participate in this on-line webchat with Ladda.

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