For a lot of veterans, retaining their formal uniforms lengthy after they’ve served is vital. However for Jose Pequeno, a 51-year-old from Tampa, Florida, his pristine Marine gown blues carried just a little extra significance.
Pequeno suffered a devastating damage that almost killed him whereas serving in Iraq. He survived however was completely broken. Final 12 months, he was crestfallen whereas getting ready to attend a navy ball and realized he might now not put on his glowing uniform.
“He had outgrown it,” his mom, Nellie, instructed Fox 13 News in Tampa. “Jose simply began crying.”
A Type Gesture
Regardless of the heartache, Pequeno’s mom dressed him in his Army uniform (he had joined the Nationwide Guard after his time within the Marine Corps), and so they determined to attend the occasion. That’s when one other marine stepped in to assist.
The couple bumped into Jerry Shaffer, who had began the Crimson Star Basis to forestall veteran suicide. Nellie struck up a dialog with Shaffer.
“She mentioned, ‘Jose will get mad at me after I gown him in his Army uniform, as a result of he desires to put on his Marine uniform,’” Shaffer mentioned. “And I mentioned, ‘Why would not he?’ That’s when she instructed me he’d outgrown it. So, I instantly checked out her and mentioned, ‘I am gonna get him a set.’”
Just a few months later, Pequeno obtained presumably essentially the most beneficiant shock of his life. Whereas attending a 5K in a church parking zone in St. Petersburg, Shaffer walked as much as his fellow Marine. In his arms, he held the gadgets Pequeno had misplaced – a brand new marine uniform, hat, gloves, the entire ensemble.
Overcome with emotion, Pequeno cried once more – this time, glad tears – whereas Nellie teared up as properly. A crowd had gathered to see what was occurring and erupted into cheers when Shaffer offered Pequeno with the uniform.
“This implies a lot to him,” Nellie mentioned.
Assist from Fellow Troopers
Shaffer known as on his fellow troopers to assist Pequeno. The Marine Corps League Detachment 54, together with the Order of the Purple Coronary heart Chapters within the Tampa space, labored collectively to make Pequeno’s dream a actuality.
As quickly as Pequeno arrived residence, his nurse dressed him in his full Marine Corps uniform.
“He seems to be so good-looking,” Nellie mentioned. “He is gone via a lot. However I would not change it for the world.”
Surviving the Horrific Damage
Some might name it a miracle, however one way or the other Pequeno continues to be alive.
Serving as a navy police officer, Pequeno was on patrol as a member of the Nationwide Guard, roaming via the streets of Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. An rebel, recognizing a turret opening within the roof of a Humvee Pequeno that was using in, threw a grenade into the opening, and it detonated. The blast killed Pequeno’s driver. Pequeno was in such unhealthy form, the troopers who got here to rescue him feared he was additionally useless.
His mom obtained a telephone name she’s going to always remember.
“And it was a telephone name that took a bit of me that I will not have the ability to get again,” she mentioned.
Fortuitously, Pequeno had his door partially ajar, which allowed him to be blown out of the automobile, most likely saving his life. However the accidents had been catastrophic.
“He misplaced half of his mind. Fifty-one p.c,” Nellie mentioned.
The Army selected to not fly his mom abroad, believing her son wouldn’t be alive when she arrived. Medical doctors stabilized Pequeno and transported him to a naval hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Whereas the circumstances had been dire, Nellie refused to let hope fade.
“No one thought he’d survive,” she mentioned. “Good or unhealthy, there’s at all times a goal, and I imagine in that, and I at all times mentioned, ‘He is gonna stay.’”
Staying Sturdy
Prior to now 20 years, Pequeno has endured 34 surgical procedures. He can barely use his left hand and nonetheless can’t converse or stroll. He communicates with eye actions and a few sounds. Nellie mentioned her son understands what others are saying. And he’s utilizing his restricted talents to assist struggling veterans.
Fellow Marines have known as his residence, saying they’re accomplished with life. They’re giving up. Pequeno wouldn’t allow them to.
“I might translate for them and inform them, ‘No, he is telling you no; he is crying, do not try this,'” Nellie mentioned. “It is not simply saving lives; it is giving goal to folks. They take a look at him and say, “Who am I to not need to do issues if he is doing this?”
