Our Heroes
Alan Hornaday, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army ( ret )
Alan Hornaday, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army (ret)
Alan began his military career in July of 1986 when he joined the Arkansas National Guard. He was a member of B Co 3rd/153rd Infantry as part of the AR 39th BCT. Alan’s time with the Arkansas Guard included multiple international training missions with multiple international forces, and two overseas deployments. Alan also received multiple commendations and awards during his time of service, including the Arkansas State NCO Leadership Award. His deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom would bring the defining moment of his military career.
The AR 39th BCT arrived in Iraq in February 2004. By April, the Brigade had already suffered multiple attacks and casualties. On May 6, 2004 Alan and one of his squads were manning Checkpoint 11 at the entrance of the Green Zone. While watching over his men as they checked the IDs of pedestrians and those driving vehicles across the 14th of July Bridge entering the Green Zone, Alan noticed a small taxi approaching and driving erratically.
As it drew nearer, he could see that it was heavily laden. He also locked eyes with the driver. The cold dead stare gave away his intentions. Immediately, Alan shouted to his men to take cover. Alan turned to shoot the drive and at that moment, the driver donated the IED. Alan was propelled through the air and slammed against a blast wall. Sand bags from the top of the wall fell on and around him. The engine block of the bomber’s vehicle landed on Alan’s legs. Alan received medical treatment in Baghdad and was flown immediately to Landstuhl, Germany and then onto Walter Reed, Washington D.C., and finally to Brook Army Medical Center Burn Unit, in San Antonio where he remained for 22 months. Alan was medically retired from the Army and do to his injuries is 100% disabled. More than anything, Alan misses the military and the men who became closer than family during the times they served together.
Johnny Wilson, Sergeant, United States Army ( ret )
Johnny was first injured in June 2004 when he was electrocuted by power lines while serving as squad leader on a Bradley fighting vehicle. Johnny was sent home state-side to recover from his injuries. After his recovery Johnny requested to be re-deployed back to Iraq to serve once again with his unit. Johnny arrived back in Iraq in December 2004. On February 25th, 2005 while on patrol Johnny and his platoon were attacked and hit with an IED in Taji, Iraq. Due to the attack, Johnny lost his left leg below the knee and also suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Johnny was retired from the Army in April of 2006 after receiving treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Johnny and his family live in Mansfield, Texas (since March 2006) where he is attending college full time and taking care of his 3 children and wife who suffered a severe brain stem stroke in May 2009.
Toby "Levi" Wilson, Sergeant, U.S. Army ( ret )
Toby “Levi” Wilson, Sergeant, U.S. Army (ret)
Levi joined the Army and departed to Fort Benning, Georgia on April 24, 2007 for basic training. Upon completion of basic training Levi was ordered to his first duty assignment at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Levi had been with the 2nd Brigade/25th Infantry Division only four months before being deployed to Iraq on December 7, 2007. On January 18, 2008 Levi’s platoon was doing a route clearance patrol to clear the roads and buildings of enemy threats and improvised explosive devices. After several miles of route clearance, Levi’s Stryker vehicle was hit by a deep-buried improvised explosive device. Levi woke up shortly after to find myself pinned under the metal from the explosion (Approximately 9 soldiers were wounded (including Levi), one was killed, and two and half years later, one is still in a coma). After the explosion Levi’s unit was ambushed and had to call in air support to lay down suppressive fire. The medics were not able to get the wounded out of the vehicle for 20 minutes due to the ambush.
Once freed Levi was air lifted to the hospital in Balad, Iraq and on to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. After a few weeks of surgeries, Levi requested that he be sent to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas so he could be closer to home. Levi sustained a broken back (L2-L4), broken jaw, broken left leg (tibia-fibula open facture), calcaneal fractures to both heels, broken right ankle in 3 places and his tongue was bitten nearly in half. During Levi’s rehabilitation process him and his wife (Katie) both started taking online classes and on May 30, 2010 Levi and Katie graduated with (Katie/Business Administration & Levi/Criminal Justice) Bachelor’s Degrees! Levi was officially retired from the Army on June 25, 2010 and is pursuing a career with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and plans on getting his Masters Degree.
Alexander Reyes, Sergeant, United States Army ( ret )
Alexander enlisted in the US Army on August 2005 and completed basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia in December. Alexander reported to his first duty station, Fort Lewis, Washington (3rd Stryker Brigade) shortly after. Alexander was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in June 2006 where he served as a 240B machine gunner. On March 2007 while conducting a dismounted patrol, Alexander was injured by an IED and was sent to Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas for treatment for his wounds. Alexander was then transferred to Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital and then finally medically retired from the Army in August 2007. Alexander is married to his beautiful wife, Elizabeth Reyes and both are attending college full time. Alexander’s goals are to complete his college education and give back to his community.
Steven Schulz, Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps (ret)
Steven Schulz was five months into his second tour in Iraq when he was seriously injured outside of Fallujah in April of 2005. Steven’s HUMVEE encountered a blast caused by an improvised explosive device placed by insurgents. Steven was severely wounded by shrapnel from a RPG round that had been placed inside a concrete curb that had been set off by remote control.
The shrapnel entered in and around Steven’s right eye and penetrated his brain. Because of heroic actions of his fellow Marines and Navy Corpsman, Steven survived the attack.
When the father of Steven Schultz first asked custom home builder Dan Wallrath if he would remodel their two-story home for more accessibility, Dan’s knee jerk response was that his company only built new custom homes. However, a father’s heart is not easily dissuaded. He talked with Dan about his Steven’s injuries and their home’s inaccessibility for someone with Steven’s physical challenges. A few photos and emotion-filled minutes later, Dan knew he had to do something to help. “I took this to the Bay Area Builder’s Association Board of Directors and immediately everyone got really excited about it. All the suppliers and subs, everybody said ‘yes, let’s do it.’ No one hesitated,” notes Dan.
The year was 2005 and that project marked the beginning of what Dan describes as “the incredible opportunity” to give these men back their lives. Bay Area Builders Association Support Our Troops was born!
David S. Worswick, SSgt, United States Marine Corps (ret)
David was on a mission in Assadabad, Afghanistan to confront insurgents that had attacked their post. While in route to the attackers David’s convoy was ambushed and his vehicle was struck by a road-side bomb. The impact of the blast thrust David head first into the windshield of the Humvee. David was knocked unconscious and awoke to an intense fire fight. Not yet certain about what had happened David immediately attended to one of his marines, applying his belt to his leg that was blown off and assisting in keeping him alive.
After returning to base camp, David lost consciousness and learned he had suffered post concussion syndrome. An immediate evacuation was ordered and David was flown to Bagrahm Air Base and then eventually back to the states.
David has had numerous spinal surgeries and suffers from PTSD and hearing loss. David was medically retired from the Marines in July 2007 and now resides in League City, Texas. David does not regret the sacrifices he has made for our country and way of life. He thanks God every day that he and his Marines made it out of that experience alive. If possible he would be back with his men and go through it all over again.
Donny Daughenbaugh, Corporal, United States Marine Corps (retired)
On October 12, 2004, in Mahmoudiya, a city south of Baghdad, Donny Daughenbaugh was on a night foot patrol when a vehicle sped past his unit, screeched to a stop and then opened fire on them with an AK-47. Donny was shot in the face by the attackers. The bullet barreled through his left cheekbone and lodged between the base of his skull and his top vertebra, fracturing his jawbone and just missing his vital nerves and brain by millimeters. The bullet was left in place because it was too close to his brain to remove.
Daughenbaugh was sent to Germany for surgery where he remained until he was well enough to return home. Donny now lives in Bondurant, IA with his wife Sarah, daughter Gabby and son Kollin but will soon be calling League City, Texas home. Donny was selected by Bay Area Builders Association Support Our Troops and Texas Sentinels’ Foundation to receive a new home and the Sentinels scholarship program.
Donny has made it his mission to raise awareness and reach as many wounded veterans as possible. His involvement has not only helped with his own recovery, but as has also inspired others through his story of resilience, luck and the overall, positive effects family can have on one’s recovery.
T. Erasmo Valles, 1Lt, United States Marine Corps (ret)
Erasmo has journeyed from the crop fields of Southeast New Mexico to combat in Iraq as a Marine Officer to eighteen months of recovery and rehabilitation at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center to retirement from the Marines. Erasmo’s next step is clear to him: a career of sharing my good fortune by helping people overcome obstacles just as I have learned to do.
On March 31, 2004 Erasmo went out with his platoon to set up a road block on a traffic circle in Hit, Iraq. Erasmo’s HUMVEE ran over an anti-tank mine which shoved the entire engine into his lap, trapping him. Erasmo somehow pulled himeself out, but saw that his legs were turned around. Erasmo was successfully stabilized and medivaced to Baghdad, then to Germany, and onto Bethesda, Maryland.
After twenty-two surgeries and the loss of his left leg, Erasmo realized that his original goal of remaining in the Marine Corps was no longer the best choice. In May of 2006, Erasmo was put on the Temporarily Disabled Retirement List and moved to Texas.
Erasmo has started Graduate School, in the field of Justice Policy. Erasmo has now set out on his new direction in life and with God’s help, a new beginning. He has learned that there will always be curves in the road ahead and challenges to meet and overcome.
Christopher Ayres, Capt, United States Marine Corps (ret)
Chris joined the Marines in 1995 to find positive direction in his life in a structured environment. In March of 2004, Chris' unit deployed to the Al Anbar Province in Iraq. Two weeks after Chris arrived in Iraq, four Blackwater military contractors were killed in Fallujah, launching Operation Vigilant Resolve, also known as the First Battle of Fallujah.
On April 13th 2004, during a battle, Chris led his Marines in two Amphibious Assault Vehicles to the site where his resupply vehicle had been attacked. After they reached the site, they lost contact with their other vehicle.
Upon attempting to find their other comrades they were ambushed by several hundred insurgents. Chris and his fellow Marines ran a gauntlet of fire from rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and small-arms fire. One of the RPGs killed the group's gunner. Another ripped through Chris, blowing off the back of his leg and catching the engine on fire. After the blast, Chris passed in and out of consciousness.
Chris' was airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany before being transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in Texas, where he stayed for 75 days.
In April 2007, Chris retired from the Marine Corps after 12 years of meritorious service to our nation. Chris has a new direction in life which includes working to help other wounded service members.
Christopher LeBleu, Corporal, United States Marine Corps (March 18, 1982 - August 13, 2007)
Chris join the Marines in August 2003. Chris served in OIF II with the 3rd Battalion 7th Marines India Co. out of 29 Palms, CA. After his battle in Iraq Chris safely returned home was married and moved to his duty station at 29 Palms, CA. Three short months after his wedding Chris went into acute liver failure. He fell into a coma while waiting for a donor liver to match. Five days after being admitted to the critical care unit at Loma Linda University Medical Center, Chris received a donated liver. Chris' transplant was successful, but soon after, other complications occurred.
On August 13, 2007, Christopher LeBleu passed away due to ongoing complications occurred due to his illness. Chris is survived by his loving wife Melany LeBleu.
Jorge DeLeon, Sergeant, United States Army (ret)
Jorge joined U.S. Army in 2001 after eight years on the police force in Puerto Rico. On his fourth deployment to Afghanistan in April 2004, Jorge and his unit were on their way back to camp after a patrol through the region. Jorge was driving a Humvee, the lead vehicle of the convoy when it ran over an anti-tank mine. Having taken the full brunt of the mine, Jorge was the only one injured in the explosion. His lost his right leg immediately in the explosion and his left leg was severely injured.
He underwent a long recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and now wears a computer-controlled prosthetic leg.
Jorge had returned to law enforcement, and worked for the Department of Defense as a radio operator with the police department at Fort Sam Houston. He resides in Texas with his wife and three young children. Jorge was selected by Bay Area Builders Association Support Our Troops and Texas Sentinels’ Foundation to receive a new home and the Sentinels scholarship program.
Since his recovery, Jorge has helped raise awareness and inspired other wounded veterans to remain hopeful, even in times of extreme distress and isolation. Jorge’s story is one of perseverance that can be a model for those going through similar situations.