i asked sean if he reported a story and gone out on the field and came home a changed minimuses of that story. that is what happens when you meet joel. sergeant joel tavera. he is an amazing man he brought me perspective to my life. he has such a positive attitude. 60-70% of his body is burned. years in the hospital. 57 plus surgeries. lost his leg, lost both of his eyes. physically he looks completely different than he did when he went to war. he did all of this for our country. for our freedom. came home with a positive attitude. so many people were there to honor him and celebrate with him. when you see a guy that has gone through this and still has a smile on his face, it reminds you of the perspective and how grateful we need to be. his mom said i don t complain anymore. when i wake up my son every morning or go to see him in the morning and he has a smile on his face. how can i complain? sean: it reminds me you
i asked sean if he reported a story and gone out on the field and came home a changed minimuses of that story. that is what happens when you meet joel. sergeant joel tavera. he is an amazing man he brought me perspective to my life. he has such a positive attitude. 60-70% of his body is burned. years in the hospital. 57 plus surgeries. lost his leg, lost both of his eyes. physically he looks completely different than he did when he went to war. he did all of this for our country. for our freedom. came home with a positive attitude. so many people were there to honor him and celebrate with him. when you see a guy that has gone through this and still has a smile on his face, it reminds you of the perspective and how grateful we need to be. his mom said i don t complain anymore. when i wake up my son every morning or go to see him in the morning and he has a smile on his face. how can i complain?
proudest and most loving parents have ever known. some to me and many here today, son to a nation, son to the u.s. of a. welcome home, son. [ applause ] the huge crowd are no surprise to anyone to joel and the impact he has on everyone he meets. there is no finer example of courage. and commitment. and selfless service and dedication. he has got unbelievable spirit. he has a smile on his face. he loves life. when you people like joel and what they have gone to, how can you not do whatever you can to help them get on their feet? last time you saw me, i was on a bed not doing anything with my life. sharp, articulate and funn
i say yes, but he is alive. she is like what happened? how do you tell your wife this? your baby that you held at one point? joel was in a coma with injuries and burns so severe nobody expected him to survive. many people say he has had the most serious injury in the war. this person was not supposed to liver. they call me from germany and say he was fine. i don t think he will make it to america. he is coming. i promise if you keep him alive with me, i will take care of you.
started tavara and the other army soldier were riding in when it was hit by a rocket. the vehicle exploded, spun around and by the time i got up there, tavare was next to the vehicle. captain lombardo pulled joel away from the wreckage. he was engulfed in flames from the explosion. he was making noises so i knew he was alive. reporter: but just barely. he had combination of severe head injuries and severe burns throughout the the body. amputation, multiple neurological problems. i came from work. my husband is waiting for me. he said i have to tell you something. he walked in and i said we have to talk. she immediately gave a sense, and said it s joel. don t tell me nothing happened to my son.