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\nMaster Sergeant Israel Del Toro<\/p>\n
\nMaster Sergeant Israel Del Toro<\/p>\n
Master Sergeant Israel Del Toro<\/a>, an Air Force SO Combat Controller<\/a> (CCT), was grievously injured in an IED blast while serving in Afghanistan. The results of the attack were third-degree burns over 80 percent of his body and a 15 percent chance to live.<\/p>\n This was plainly unacceptable to “DT” and so he walked out of the hospital three months later. His goal? Return to active duty.<\/p>\n In 2010, he became the first-ever 100 percent disabled airman to re-enlist. It took only four years.<\/p>\n So, not one to put up with “No” and other silliness.<\/p>\n ninja sends.<\/p>\n Sarah Sicard<\/strong><\/p>\n The commander of Peterson Air Force Base has apologized to one of the nation\u2019s most well-known wounded warriors for being refused entry into the base commissary.<\/p>\n \u201cI would like to express my sincere apology to Israel Del Toro for being refused access to our base commissary,\u201d Col. Sam Johnson, 21st Space Wing Commander said in a statement to Military Times. \u201cI am grateful he brought to our attention that our COVID safety policies did not account for medical concerns of our veteran, wounded warrior, retiree, and family member populations.\u201d<\/p>\n Unlike many of the \u201cKarens\u201d filling TikTok and Instagram feeds across the country with refusals to cover their mouths despite COVID-19 risks, this veteran has a good reason.<\/p>\n Del Toro, a retired Air Force senior master sergeant, can\u2019t wear a face mask. That\u2019s because he lost his ears and fingers in the line of duty.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have ears, I can\u2019t loop them,\u201d he told KKTV, noting that his breathing condition is an additional issue. \u201cTrust us, if we could, we would wear masks.\u201d<\/p>\n The incident happened in June, but Del Toro has been very vocal over the last few weeks as he wants his message to be heard, because despite the dangers of COVID, people with disabilities need to be taken into consideration.<\/p>\n The Public Affairs office for 21 Space Wing noted that this was a mistake, one they were unprepared for in the midst of developing COVID-19 health protocols.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Actually, the PAO tried to sell this as a training issue. Can’t speak to that, but someone certainly got “schooled.” Read the rest here: Army Times<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks, ninja.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Wounded veteran Israel Del Toro gets apology after being refused entry to Peterson commissary<\/h3>\n