Today we are making #WarriorWishes come true at the Chicago Bears game! Its an honor to be hosting US Marine Corps, Manny Gonzalez. I had the honor of meeting Manny a few months ago at the Travis: A Soldiers Story event we hosted in Chicago. He is a true inspiration! Manny is a 38-year-old Burn Survivor. On July 18, 1996, Manny was a U.S. Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA, participating in a field training exercise. During a training event, three “Tear Gas” grenades were tossed amongst the Marines to simulate a Chemical Attack. Two separate fires ensued. After failed attempts to put out the fire he was nearest to and not realizing that a second fire had also started, Manny and other Marines began to evacuate the immediate area. Before Manny could make it to a safe area, he noticed a Marine against the base of the hill, overcome by the tear gas, laying on the ground. Following the traditions of the Marine Corps of “Never leaving a Marine behind”, Manny dropped all his gear and he ran to the Marine’s side to help. During this time, the fires merged into one and created a ring around the hill, separating him and the other Marine from the entire unit. After multiple unsuccessful attempts were made to climb the hill to escape the flames, the fire engulfed Manny and the other Marine. Both marines were able to make it through the intense flames, but not unscathed. The Marine Manny went back to save suffered approximately fifty percent burns, while Manny suffered approximately eighty percent 2nd and 3rd degree burns over his body. He was immediately airlifted to UCSD Burn Unit, where he was placed into a drug-induced coma for approximately 1 1/2 months. At one point his doctor gave him a 1% chance of surviving due to severe complications a week after his injuries. Manny has overcome the odds & made a full recovery from his burns. 3 months after the accident he was released to return home to Chicago, where he spent an additional month at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Following that, Manny went through another year of physical and occupational therapy at Loyola University. Manny was medically retired from the Marine Corps in 1998. He began volunteering in the burn community by joining the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and becoming a counselor at their annual Burn Camp (now known as Camp “I Am Me”); he had also joined the Marine Corps League and American Legion. He joined the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors in 2002, a nonprofit organization “dedicated to empowering anyone affected by a burn injury through peer support, education, and advocacy.” After relocating to Texas, Manny felt a strong urge to return to school to finish his education and become involved in security management. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management in 2008, he worked for two different security firms as both a Project Manager and Operations Manager. He decided to leave the security industry after attending the 2011 World Burn Congress in September of that year. Manny came to the realization that Burn Peer Support and becoming an advocate, not only for Burn Survivors but also Military Veterans, was what he needed to do because he felt he would be able to contribute in spreading the message of awareness and of the importance of the many issues and ambitions of the burn and veterans community. Manny & his family permanently relocated back to the Chicago area in 2012, Manny began volunteering in the veterans community in the hopes of becoming a voice for the numerous vets that reside in the Chicagoland area. A great opportunity presented itself late 2012 when he applied for and was subsequently hired as a Patient Advocate for the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago. A few months after starting at the VA, he was asked by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to sit on the Illinois Veterans Advisory Council, which he continues to do so until this day. Manny currently resides in The suburbs of Chicago with his wife Laura and two step-children, Patrick and Rosie, and are expecting their child together this coming January! Manny is a true hero. He has inspired so many people, including me. Please help me say thank you to Manny for his service, sacrifices and for all he does to inspire others! #SaluteToService
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:52:37 +0000
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