Higinio “Gene” Laureano
Higinio “Gene” Laureano
Service
Benjamin Keechler Benjamin Keechler served in the United States Army as a helicopter mechanic, serving in one tour to Korea. He continued in the private sector as a mechanic following his service. While on a camping trip with his family he felt poorly and lay down, at which time he started feeling numbness in his…
Raymond Hernandez Retired Specialist E4, US Army, Raymond Hernandez. Ray served in the infantry from 1985-1988, stationed in Germany and Ft. Knox. After his military career, he suffered a gunshot wound causing a spinal cord injury, resulting in paraplegia. Healthy and active, he enjoys swimming and wheelchair tennis.
Damien Davis Staff Sergeant Damien Davis dedicated 16 years to the US Army. He worked as a truck driver in Korea, to a recruiter in Alaska, to a tour in Kuwait. Now, he’s working through the effects of Buerger’s disease. The loss of circulation to arms and legs due to inflammation in the arteries. With…
Matthew Pundyk Army Specialist Matthew Pundyk served in the US Army for more than 3 years. Currently, he serves as a Calvary scout and a dismount team leader. While serving in Afghanistan, he stepped on an IED. He lost his left leg, the hearing in his left ear and suffered shrapnel damage to his right…
Robert Burke Shelton Robert Burke Shelton spent 10 years serving our country in the US Army, deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2003, during a night mission to support ground troops by air, the helicopter he was riding in crashed, breaking is back, leg, ankle, hand…I think you get the picture! Burke is blessed to…
Jerry Hamilton Jerry Hamilton starting his military career in 1995, deployed to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan as a pilot. Eventually, shrapnel from a nearby rocket explosion broke his leg and frayed his sciatic nerve. In fact, his injuries continue to affect his ability to walk. Now enjoying his water therapy, diving will be a natural…
Shane Bliss Army Specialist Shane Bliss, training for deployment suffered severe foot, knee and back injuries during a landslide. While struggling through surgeries and recovery, he honorably served at Arlington National Cemetery. Also he regularly marched in funerals.
Travis Sigmon While on foot patrol looking for insurgents, a fellow soldier stepped on an IED, and Corporal Travis Sigmon took most of the blast. Waking up from a coma without his arm, and suffering other injuries from shrapnel, he returned home for recovery. Now he’s on a mission to be a Dive Pirate.
Marlene Krpata Captain Marlene Krpata was a leg limb salvage after suffering a mortar attack while serving in Iraq. In 2011, she decided to amputate her leg below the knee. Since her amputation she has been back playing softball and running around with her nieces and nephew. Swimming in the ocean has had a calming…