Photo By Maj. Jamelle Garner | Colton Read a double amputee and former U.S. Air Force veteran, presents Diego with...... read more read more
A carefully planned act of kindness occurred Dec. 11, bringing a young boy and a U.S. Air Force veteran, who is a double amputee, together in a moment that was kismet.
Diego Mercado is the 9-year old son of Capt. Jason Mercado, U.S. Army South Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion Supply Officer and newly selected HHC, Installation Management Command commander. Diego was born uniquely special, with a form of amniotic band syndrome, which affects his lower right leg, and multiple digits in his right hand. ABS occurs randomly when the fetus becomes entangled in string-like, amniotic bands in the womb and is not genetic.
Colton Read, a former airman, lost both his legs during a botched gallbladder surgery in 2009. The path of these two warriors intersected when the organization, Heart Songs for Veterans, picked up on the Go Fund Me plans initiated by Diego’s family.
Heart Songs for Veterans founder Jill Pavel, recalls hearing about Diego through a mutual friend on social media.
“I immediately thought about having Colton present the bike, since I am currently working with him and other organizations to get him a service dog,” said Pavel.
In a small ceremony, held behind the Army South HHBN building, Read, presented Diego a newly-outfitted recumbent three-wheeled cycle, replacing his previous 3 year old trike that he’s outgrown. Also present was Donna Dye, an employee with the tactical gear store at Lackland Air Force Base, who offered Diego a new multi-camouflaged-patterned uniform, complete with his name, 1st Lt. rank and American flag.
”Looking at Diego I am sure he has his own challenges in his daily life, yet he continues to reach out to help Veterans,” said Read during a heartfelt and emotional speech. “It’s everyday people, challenged by difficult circumstances, who are brave, knowing that they could easily be defeated but still continue forward,” said Read.
Outfitted with a prosthetic leg when he was just eight months old, Diego has been on a mutually beneficial adventure with several wounded warriors since his father was stationed at Fort Hood Texas in 2012.
According to the senior Mercado, Diego has always
looked up to wounded warrior amputees as role models of what he can achieve.
Diego’s dad along with family, friends and their close-knit neighborhood community created the Go-Fund-me page that picked up major traction, to raise funds for a new updated recumbent bike for Diego.
“I didn’t want Diego to not be able to participate in wounded warrior events,” said Capt. Mercado.
A surprised, and seemingly never discouraged Diego, has watched his father perform his daily duties as a Soldier his entire life and has desires to grow up and be just like him one day, according to Capt. Mercado. A grateful and humbled Diego, expressed gratitude to Read and Dye.
“I just want to thank you guys for everything,” said Diego who showered both presenters with hugs.
Soldiers within the command shook Diego’s hand after the presentation, congratulating him and thanking him for being such an inspiration. Sgt. Michael Roux, assigned to the property section of HHBN, completed Diego’s new uniform by placing his own U.S. Army South Galleon patch and 10th Mountain Division combat patch, on the shoulders of Diego’s new uniform.
“Now your uniform is complete,” said Roux.
With the support of wounded warriors like Read, family and friends, Diego knows he is not disabled, just “differently abled” as he continues to overcome challenges in his path.
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2015 12:33 |
| Story ID: | 184779 |
| Location: | FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 253 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Wounded Warrior and Mini-Warrior Share More than Missing Limbs, by MAJ Jamelle Garner, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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