From helping the homeless to calling up comrades, Fred Alvarado and Sebastian Gallegos have unique ways of grappling with loud noises on America’s birthday.
SAN ANTONIO — The mental wounds of war never really go away. Every Fourth of July, Army veteran Fred Alvarado is reminded of those dark days as fireworks trigger trauma from the time he served in Vietnam.
“It flashbacks back to what I went through while I was in Vietnam,” Alvarado said. “It takes me back where I was. Firing against us, the sound, the smell.”
But he’s been able to mask some of those uneasy memories by helping the homeless alongside fellow volunteers with the non-profit, Broken Warriors’ Angels.
Alvarado spent the morning handing out water, energy drinks and snacks to homeless people living on the northwest side of San Antonio, including encampments slated for city-run abatements.
“They’re human too, they’re hungry, they’re thirsty,” Alvarado said. “I try to put that dark stuff aside and try to focus on positive stuff. This is what I do help these folks, to bring back, pay it forward.”
San Antonio native Sebastian Gallegos fought on the frontlines as a Dark Horse Marine in one of the most dangerous places in Afghanistan.
On Oct. 16, 2010, Gallegos was wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED), leading to the loss of his right arm.
“I’m still grateful to be an American,” Gallegos said.
He recalled hearing the blast of fireworks after coming home from Afghanistan.
“Especially frontline veterans, you’re constantly exposed to gunfire and explosions so you don’t have it programmed in your head to be scared of it. But right after I was wounded, it did scare me and it freaked me out,” Gallegos said.
What helped the Marine veteran through that moment of terror was calling up one of his best friends who had been wounded in war as well. It’s the invaluable bond between comrades that can comfort even the toughest of warriors, whether it’s on Independence Day or any other time of the year.
“We were just talking about how funny it was that hardcore combat veterans can get thrown off by fireworks at a moment’s notice. It does happen. But it’s a little easier when you’re prepared for it,” Gallegos said.
>MORE ON KENS
Original News Source
Click here for Superior HOA Management