Soldier Stories

The Oliveira Family

Navy Lt Commander John Oliveira, his wife, Amy (also a Navy Veteran), and their children, Victoria, Joao and Maria

When you first meet retired Navy Lt Commander John Oliveira, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, you might notice that there is nothing unusual about him – no limp or missing limb, no visible scars. But you’ll notice his dog, a black lab, is always at his side. That’s Lois, his service dog, trained specifically to aid veterans dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In fact, if it weren’t for Lois, you wouldn’t be meeting John at all, since he’d be hiding behind the walls of his house – his PTSD so severe.

John’s PTSD is due to his having “fallen through the cracks” and never receiving any counseling or treatment during his many years serving the Navy as a Public Relations Officer. In 1998, assigned to accompany the USS Grapple to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a recovery operation of a Swiss Air plane that had crashed, John dove once with the dive team. “It was brutal,” he recalled, “diving to find remains of the victims.” Counseling was provided nightly to members of the dive team, but John was overlooked. The following year in Kosovo, John was overlooked again, even though he had spent six months on missions with the Army and Marines.

As the Public Relations Officer for the entire international task force deployed to Afghanistan, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, John was based on the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. More anguish occurred after another mission in Kandahar Province. “I took a reporter on a mission with the Marines to attack Taliban insurgents who were ambushing our troops from cover of a schoolhouse. We dropped another bomb, successfully killing the enemy. But I learned later that children had also been in that building,”

In January 2004, after 17 years in the Navy; John submitted his resignation papers. However, it was not until that December that he got into the VA system and began getting the help he desperately needed. After much effort and time life is finally getting better for John, his wife Amy (also a Navy Veteran), and their children, Victoria (8 years-old), Joao (7 years-old) and Maria (5 years-old). John is active with the Wounded Warrior Project. He talks to groups about service dogs, PTSD, and how to get into the VA system.

The Platt Family

Specialist Eddie Platt, his wife, Sarah and four sons: Justin, Kyle, Johnny and Kaleb

In 2002, nineteen-year-old Eddie Platt, a member of the U.S. Army’s 101^st Airborne Division, found himself in Afghanistan, on a rescue mission of a U.S. Navy Seal.

Although known as paratroopers in WWII, the 101^st now uses air-assault, rappelling down from Chinook or Black Hawk helicopters. “It was a four-day mission,” Eddie explained, “with almost continuous firing. We got the Seal out, and none of us got hurt. So we all had that feeling that we were invincible.” But when Eddie and his unit arrived in Iraq in April 2003, they were dealing with an entirely new situation. “We always felt fear because Iraqi soldiers wore civilian clothes, so it wasn’t clear-cut who the bad guys were,” he added.

Eddie and his unit were in control of the NW sector of Iraq, ensuring that no arms came across the border from Syria or Iran. “Many of the Iraqis had surrendered, so most of the people attacking us were from other countries,” Eddie explained. On September 23, 2003, as the platoon was finishing another presence patrol and returning to base, twenty-year-old Eddie Platt’s life changed forever.

“I was sitting on the tailgate of the LMTV [light utility truck] manning the M249 [squad automatic weapon], when an RPG [Rocket-Propelled Grenade] hit. I saw a flash of light, and the next thing I remember is lying on my back, staring at the sidewall. I couldn’t move; I couldn’t get to my weapon,” Eddie recalled. He couldn’t move because one of his buddies, also injured in the attack, had fallen on top of him. The insurgents continued firing as Eddie’s vehicle sped away from the kill zone. The RPG had pierced the tailgate, continued through Eddie’s right knee, and lodged in an M.R.E. (meals ready to eat) box – never exploding. Eddie’s buddies folded his leg and applied a tourniquet, while calling for an air evacuation. That Black Hawk was under attack as it was taking Eddie and the other injured soldiers to the medical facility in Mosul. There, after being given many blood transfusions and pain medication, Eddie called his mother in Hershey, PA, saying, “Hi mom. I’m hurt and going to Germany. I love you. Bye.” Overhearing this one-side conversation, and sensing that Mrs. Platt would be hysterical, Eddie’s commander immediately called her to give more information.

Two weeks later, at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, MD, Eddie was given devastating news and a difficult choice explained Eddie. “I could have an artificial knee, but they wouldn’t be able to replace my tendons and ligaments. So I wouldn’t have any control of bending my knee. Or, they could fuse my thigh and shin bones, leaving me without a knee at all. I’d never be able to bend my leg. How could I live like that?” In early October, just a month before Eddie’s twenty-first birthday, doctors amputated his right leg just above the knee.

“But I’m one of the lucky ones,” Eddie said. “To me, it’s not that bad. I tell my wife that it’s like a woman who takes off her high heels at the end of a long day. I can walk long distances, but it feels good to take it off at night,” he commented.

Eddie and his wife, Sarah, have four sons: Justin (9 years old), Kyle (7 years old), Johnny (3 years old) and Kaleb (2 years old), and they are all looking forward to a snowy, winter vacation in the White Mountains.

The Martin Family

Donald "DJ" Martin and family from Lagrange, Maine

On the night of March 26, 2003, during the Battle for An nasiriyah, at the time of the initial invasion of Iraq, SFGT Donald (DJ) Martin’s temporary main command post was attacked. His fellow marines were under fire on a bluff on the edge of camp and had run out of ammunition. As DJ ran through enemy fire to deliver more ammunition, he was blown off his feet by a large blast that came from Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) and Mortars. The explosion severely impacted the brain leaving him with a traumatic brain injury. DJ now has damage to the cranial nerve, effecting other neurological functions that deal with memory and causes right side weakness. He suffers from a complete loss of vestibular function, this has caused permanent impairment of his balance and vision, as well as regulation of blood pressure. As a result, DJ must now walk with at least one if not two canes in order to attempt to stand upright and walk. He can no longer drive and his wife Stacie is his full-time caregiver. DJ returned to Camp Lejeune and remained there until 2008.

He joined the Marines in 1995 and shortly after marrying his high school sweetheart Stacie, he departed for his 1^st tour in Okinawa, Japan. During active duty, DJ was also deployed to Thailand for Operation Cobra Gold and then returned to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. DJ was also part of the 24^th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Mediterranean; training in Greece, Italy, off Coast of Kosovo. During this time and at the time of deployment to Iraq, DJ was part of the 2^nd Battalion, 8^th Marines, 2^nd Marine Division. Of the 15 years with the Marines, he and his family spent 12 of those at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. After spending 1 year in Indian Head, Maryland with the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, DJ was Medically Retired from the Marines in 2009. He now lives with his wife Stacie and two sons Joshua (12) and Jeremy (9) in Lagrange, Maine, where Stacie grew-up.

The Perez Family

Delaney "Rocky" Perez and family from Texas

In April of 2003, Rocky was deployed from Ft. Carson, CO to Iraq, and 5 months later endured injuries that would change his life forever. Rocky calls it his “Alive Day” story. On September 28th, 2003, at approximately 9:30am, Rocky Perez’s convoy was traveling North on Highway 1 back to their Forward Operating Base Vanguard, located near Ad Dujayl. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) hit the left rear side of the vehicle Rocky was riding in. He and a Civil Affairs Soldier were sitting in the rear of that vehicle and as a result, he incurred shrapnel wounds to the left of his face, right of his neck (missing his jugular vein by only 2-3 cm), right hand, and right calf requiring a fasciotomy. Fortunately, the IED went off shortly after the vehicle had passed its mark, preventing even further destruction and the loss of life. As a result of service in Iraq, Rocky received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Rocky first heard of Christmas Can Cure through the Wounded Warrior Project while living in New England, and felt “it would be priceless to share such a magical event with my wife and two boys, Antonio (5) and Riel (8). Due to the disruptive childhood and continued turmoil they have had to endure” while living with the aftermath of his injuries sustained in Iraq. Most of the boys early childhood was spent driving to doctor’s appointments for Rocky’s recovery, pain management and rehabilitation. Since 2003, Rocky and his wife Imelda have lived in 4 different states and were just relocated back to TX the second week of November.

The Hardin Family

Kevin Hardin and Lillian May from Killeen, Texas

In 2007, Kevin Hardin, a Front Line Army Medic, was severely injured in Iraq when the Hum-V he was driving was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). He endured over 32 surgeries over two years. Kevin has injuries to both of his arms including a fused wrist and the loss fingers. He has more than a dozen pieces of shrapnel in his brain which are inoperable. He spent two years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he met the love of his life, Lillian May. They were engaged in August of 2009. They were married in April of 2010 in a courthouse that used to be a gas station. Their families were happy for them but they believed the couple deserved a real wedding. Kevin's mother wrote to Christmas Can Cure asking for a fairytale wedding for her son.

The wedding will be Saturday, November 13th, Veterans Day weekend, at Eureka Casino Resort in Mesquite, Nevada. For the full story and to read the letter from Kevin's mom click here.

The Ugliono Family

Sgt Shane Ugliono and his family from Hawthorne, New Jersey

Assigned to the 101st Airborne, Shane was leading his five-man team in Samarra, Iraq in January 2008 when his unit was ambushed by 20 or more insurgents. A firefight ensued that would last more then 45 minutes. Shane’s team was not captured that day, they fought back the insurgents but the costs were great. Three members of Shane’s team had been killed. Shane himself had been shot 16 times, with four shots to the head. His left arm is paralyzed and he’s living with the consequences of traumatic brain injury. Shane’s commitment to his troops is a testament to the character of the armed forces; his incredible spirit makes him a role model for us all. When Shane first learned of Christmas Can Cure last year he immediately wanted in. He wrote on his application that he wanted this experience for his wife and children, that it had been a difficult year for his family and that they could benefit from celebrating a wonderful Christmas together. We are honored to be hosting Shane, his wife Kerri and his children Tyler (6), Taryn (5), and Teagen (2).

The Quiroz family

William Quiroz and his family from West Haven, Connecticut

William and his Alpha Company 6th Communication BN FSSG Division served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Injured during his service at the time of the invasion in 2003, William returned home and with his wife, Desiree, has worked to start a family. They are excited for what they hope will be a white Christmas celebration with their son David (4), and daughter Isabella (2).

The Luce family

Sgt. Jared Luce and his family from Coventry, Connecticut

Jared is a double amputee who is looking forward to the many snow activities the White Mountains have to offer. He’s a family man and looks forward to giving back to his loved ones with Christmas Can Cure. “I am looking forward to building snow forts with my three boys!” Jared will join us in New Hampshire with his wife, Melanie, and three boys.

The Chidester Family

The Chidester Family from Fountain Green, UT

Originally a Cavalry Scout, Bradley was injured in Mosul in October of 2005 when a vehicle was detonated right next to his unit. The blast knocked him unconscious and sent shrapnel through his upper body and face. When he came to, he found himself in the middle of a firefight and returned fire without the use of his left arm. It was during this firefight that Bradley was shot in the leg. The injuries Bradley incurred on this day have had many lingering consequences and he has been guided and supported in his recovery by his wife, Chante, and his four daughters, Madison (12), Mickell (10), Brianna (8), and Sierra (6).
"My family lives with the effects of the war each and every day," said Bradley. "It’s difficult to be a child who lives with an injured Dad. My wife and my children have been injured by the war. I believe Christmas Can Cure could be the catalyst for change in my family…I want to see my wife and children smile again, to see the sparkle in their eyes and hear excitement in their voices."

The Perez Family

The Perez Family from Logandale, NV

Staff Sergeant Joseph D. Perez first enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1988 and served until 1996. In 1999 he heard the call to serve again and this time joined the US Army as a Sgt. in the Military Police. While in Iraq in 2003, Joe suffered serious injuries resulting from a mortar attack at a prison riot at Abu Ghraib. The attack left Joe with a fused spinal cord, traumatic brain injuries, and substantial injures to his left leg. Joe has come a long way in his recovery, helped greatly by the love and support of his wife, Aileena, and their three daughters, Felicia (9), Marissa (12) and Ariel (17). Joe’s recovery has been so successful that he participated in the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride in Las Vegas, biking through Summerlin with Warriors from across the country. Joe and his family live in Logandale, Nevada where they enjoy a very large extended family. Joe says he, his wife and daughters love Christmas and they are giddy about the trip. He is looking forward to seeing his daughters spoiled for a few days.

The Cortinas Family

(Pictured from upper-left, clockwise: Jerry, Selena, Ally and Dion Cortinas)

"I feel like I am dreaming. We are actually pretty private and shy people, but this is so beautiful. I feel like saying to everyone 'Thank you, we are so grateful.'" —The Cortinas Family

Jerry and Celina Cortinas, along with their two daughters, Dion (age 8) and Ally (age 3), traveled to the Mt. Washington Valley in New Hampshire in December 2008 to kick off the first annual Christmas Can Cure. Hailing from Brownsville, Texas, the Cortinas children had never seen snow.

Jerry Cortinas served as a green beret in the U.S. Army Special Forces stationed in Afghanistan. In December 2002, he was loading a rocket grenade launcher when it exploded on site. He suffered extreme head trauma, which left him unconscious for 26 days. His left forearm and hand required amputation.

Before making the trip to New Hampshire, Selena Cortinas said, "As you can imagine, Christmas time for us is a bittersweet time. It is the anniversary of Jerry's accident. The kids absolutely love Christmas, and I try to make it special for them, but with limited money and the memories of the worst time of our lives, it is a tough situation. This trip will fill the month with good memories that we can associate with December, instead of a very bad one."

"This is a dream," said Selena Cortinas, upon arriving in New Hampshire. "I feel like I am dreaming. We are actually pretty private and shy people, but this is so beautiful. I feel like saying to everyone 'Thank you, we are so grateful.'"

The Mitchell Family

(Pictured from top, clockwise: Zac, Roy, Jerrett, Serenity, Michelle)

"We have had a long road since 2003... I have had 37 surgeries to date and a lot of rehab. If I could, I would not change a thing, except having more time with my family." —The Mitchell Family

Sgt. 1st Class Roy Mitchell and his family joined the Cortinas family in New Hampshire last year for the first annual Christmas Can Cure. Mitchell and his family - wife Michelle, and children Zac (age 16), Jerrett (age 6), and Serenity (age 3) - call Fort Drum home in New York state.

Mitchell was injured in Afghanistan on November 23, 2003, requiring an above-the-knee amputation. He also suffered shrapnel wounds to the face and torso, and third degree burns.

"We have had a long road since 2003," Mitchell wrote in a letter to Christmas Can Cure. "I have had 37 surgeries to date and a lot of rehab. If I could, I would not change a thing, except having more time with my family. Since 2003, we have been able to have family time during the holidays just three times out of the last six. It just starts to take a toll on the family bond."

Michelle Mitchell said she felt a transformation as soon as her family drove over the covered bridge and into the village of Jackson, New Hampshire.

"There was no tension. There are no words to describe what people are doing for us."

more photos on flickr