Carmen Del Toro
Meet Carmen Del Toro; she is the wife of Air Force Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro; who suffered third-degree burns on more than 80 percent of his body. He will receive the Pat Tillman Award at the 2017 ESPYS Awards.
What makes Israel Del Toro, special? Many things indeed. The former Tactical Control Party instructor with the US Army, burned over more than 80 percent of his body in an IED explosion in Afghanistan on December 4, 2005; when their Humvee rolled over the roadside bomb.
He had all of the fingers on his left hand except for his thumb and the fingers on his right hand amputated at the knuckles.
After waking up from a three-month coma; the doctors told he wouldn’t be able to walk or breath on his own, but he proved the world wrong.
Not only did he walked and was able to breathe on his own a year after his accident, but he also reenlisted in the Army, and competed in the inaugural Invictus Games.
Overwhelmed to hear about the Award.
“First, I’m humbled for even being considered for this prestigious award named after Pat Tillman; a man I admire, but to actually receive this honor is unbelievable,” said Del Toro.
“When I heard that Pat Tillman gave up a career in the NFL to serve his country after the 911 attacks; it gave me so much pride to call him a brother in arms. He truly is a shining example of Service Before Self.”
“To Mrs. Tillman and the Pat Tillman Foundation, I give you my pledge that I’ll always try to live up to the true meaning of the Pat Tillman Award for Service in everything I do, and to represent his spirit to the best of my ability.”
Mexican native Carmen Del Toro, formerly known as Carmen Gueris and Israel are the proud parents of their son Israel Jr.
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