The tale starts in Louisiana and winds for thousands of miles, through California and even Iraq. It will pass through Chicago before it’s done. That’s a clue to something potentially really exciting for Bogalusa residents.

That exciting part does come as a result of considerable pain and sacrifice. But U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Tracey Ford-Ladner, the nexus of the story, is putting that part behind her. She’s healthy enough again to do some more good, and she’s got a plan, one that involves Oprah Winfrey and the Bogalusa YMCA.

Ladner will ask the philanthropic talk show host if she will do something to help the local Y, and it will not come as a request out of the blue. Winfrey’s people have asked what she could do for Ladner.

Army Sgt. Tracey Ford-Ladner, an Iraq War veteran, works out at the Bogalusa YMCA recently. DAILY NEWS PHOTO/Marcelle Hanemann Advertisement

The story of how that happened begins in Iraq in 2004, before the Abita Springs native had married Bogalusan Travis Ladner, but after she had earned the nickname “Sgt. Hooah” because of her enthusiastic and highly motivated participation in the U.S. military.

In Iraq, Ladner drove one of the big trucks, “bigger than an 18-wheeler in civilian work,” that transport tanks. She carried a Squad Action Weapon (SAW), a 41-inch long, 17-pound machine gun that has been described as a “cumbersome” weapon. With ammunition, the gun weighs 22 pounds.

Sgt. Hooah is a small woman.

One December day, she was behind the wheel when her convoy “was hit.” One vehicle triggered an Improvised Explosive Device. A sniper took advantage of the situation.

“When the IED was hit, it caused the convoy to split up,” said Ladner. “The truck in front of us was on fire. I had to dismount my truck with my weapon.”

She had to jump, rather than climb down, the approximately 7 feet from the drivers’ seat to the ground. She was wearing a flak vest and helmet. She had magazines of ammunition in her pockets. She was carrying the SAW.

Ladner landed on the gun.

“It caused injury to my bladder and kidney,” she said. “I was Medivaced to San Diego. I’ve had 12 surgeries since. They thought I might need a colostomy bag or an artificial bladder. But I’m whole. I’m good.”

Ladner had no trouble telling her story at the same time as she worked, full out, on a treadmill at the Bogalusa YMCA.

“I’m still running,” she said. “I’m still walking.”

But the years of surgeries and rehabilitation weren’t the only hardships Ladner had to endure.

When she returned to the United States, based in California, she faced trouble at home as well. Her marriage failed.

While she struggled to rebuild her body and to fight the depression caused by the incident, the medication and subsequent weight gain, she also raised her two children, one of whom has a heart condition.

In 2005, she also assisted members of her extended family cope with the effects of Hurricane Katrina back home in Louisiana.

Sgt. Hooah, true to her name, came through it all undaunted. And her efforts did not go unnoticed.

She was one of six military men and women from around the country selected for recognition on the Heroes at Home television series on My Network TV. (To check it out, visit www.mynetworktv.com/shows.php?show=78)

And that show is what brought her to the attention of others, including Magic Johnson, Tyra Banks and Oprah Winfrey.

“I agreed to be on the Oprah Winfrey Show in July,” said Ladner. “They said they will fly me to Chicago. And they wanted to know what she could do to help me.”

Ladner looked around the YMCA fitness center, formerly known as the “bull pen,” while she kept up a steady pace on the treadmill. She’d been there often before with her current husband.

Ladner is a strong advocate of physical fitness, she said. She pushes her family as well as her self. She believes in the development of strong bodies, minds and spirits, and she knows that’s the mission of the YMCA.

Ladner also recognizes that the Bogalusa branch could use some help.

In stark reminder of the days of segregation, there are two separate, aging facilities. Revenues are limited. The population is poor. And that means there are lots of opportunities to help.

“The gym here helps children,” said Ladner. “I want Oprah to help the Bogalusa YMCA.

“What a positive effort that could be. The military has all kinds of positives. It just needs prayers. But I think children are our future, and it all starts at the YMCA.”

The Y in her home town of San Diego is “elegant,” said Ladner.

“But I think people pass over Bogalusa because it’s so small,” she said. “That motivates me to try to help them.”

Any assistance at all would be greatly appreciated, said Stuart Parker, chief volunteer officer, who is devoted to keeping the Bogalusa YMCA open for the children and the community in general.

He praised Ford-Ladner for her own service and thanked her for even thinking of Bogalusa when Winfrey’s people called. Even the donation of a scholarship membership or a few T-shirts from such a well-known source would be a “shot in the arm,” said Parker.

What might transpire with that remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Sgt. Hooah is not sitting around waiting.

After two tours in Iraq, plus the injury and long recovery, she is now getting ready to head to Afghanistan.

“I could have retired, but I reenlisted for three more years,” she said. “I want to stay in as long as I can.”

Ladner plans to continue her service to her country. And she will do what she can to help a small town in Louisiana that has a struggling YMCA.

“I love Bogalusa,” said Ladner. “I love children. And the YMCA can help get them off the streets. I would love for Oprah Winfrey to somehow adopt the Bogalusa YMCA.”