Tony C’s story begins with a legacy of service. His father served in the Army, and his mother was a nurse on a Naval Base in Puerto Rico. With such strong military roots, it seemed only natural that Tony would one day follow in their footsteps. Now 72 years old, Tony looks back on a proud career as a retired Army veteran, having served 14 and a half years on active duty. His journey was not without hardship, but it was marked by courage, leadership, and resilience.

As a Special Forces Sergeant First Class, Tony commanded a platoon of more than 25 soldiers. His service took him across the globe, including 4 and a half years in Italy, where he trained as a sniper, and later to Germany, where he earned a secret clearance and rose to positions few achieve in the military.

In 1983, when the CIA discovered Soviet jets in Grenada, Tony was chosen as part of a special operations team sent to investigate. The mission included four Navy SEALs, a captain, three radio operators, two medics, and Tony as second in command. During the operation, tragedy struck. Tony was severely wounded by shrapnel, with injuries to multiple parts of his body, including his throat—leaving him with the distinct rasp in his voice that he carries to this day.

After six months of therapy at the San Francisco Naval Hospital, Tony returned to Germany to continue his rehabilitation. It took him a full year before he could walk again. Though determined to continue serving, his injuries forced an honorable discharge two years later, a decision made against his wishes.

By then, Tony was married with a daughter and living in California. He transitioned into civilian life, working in the security industry for seven years. But the scars of war were not only physical. Tony battled severe PTSD, meeting monthly with a psychiatrist for six years. The toll on his personal life was heavy, leading to divorce and eventually a third marriage.

Despite these struggles, Tony found stability and success as a School District Plant Manager, a role he held for 15 years. Life seemed to be on a steady path—until another unexpected challenge arose.

While helping a friend move to New Mexico, Tony was pulled over for speeding. Unbeknownst to him, his friend was carrying over 150 pounds of illegal drugs, including fentanyl and cocaine. Both men were arrested. Though Tony’s fingerprints were not on the packages and key evidence was never presented to the jury, he was sentenced to six years in prison.

Even behind bars, Tony’s resilience and leadership shone through. He earned two diplomas, completed nearly a year of intensive military-centered programs such as Veterans Reboot and Veterans Wellness, and proudly led the Color Guard. His dedication earned him the prestigious Operation 22 Medal, adding to the seven medals he had already received during active duty, including the Purple Heart and the Silver Medal.