AFPC Airmen help Wounded Warrior improve quality of life

Randolph Air Force Base, Texas -- Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro's injuries from Afghanistan wouldn't allow him to build the gate he needed at his home in Cibolo, Texas, so he turned to Operation Homefront, which asked volunteers from the Air Force Personnel Center to make the needed changes to this wounded warrior's home last Wednesday.

Sergeant Del Toro's fence had only one gate and it was situated such that he was forced to drag three garden hoses three-quarters of the way around his house to water the front lawn. A second gate, placed near the hose bib on the other side of the house, would be more efficient. Unfortunately, his injuries make it difficult to hold a saw, use a drill, or stay more than a few minutes in direct sunlight.

A joint tactical air controller, Sergeant Del Toro was injured in December 2005 when an improvised explosive device exploded near him while he was on patrol in a village in Afghanistan. Burns still cover almost 80 percent of his body. The tips of his fingers on his right hand fused together, burned off up to the first knuckles. His left hand was amputated and he lost some vision in both his eyes.

Throughout the afternoon, despite the blazing sun, high humidity and 90-degree temperatures, Sergeant Del Toro lent his weight, literally, to build the gate, providing support as the AFPC volunteer Airmen drilled screws into the fence boards. He joked with the volunteers (armed only with power tools and a how-to book about fences) and received good-natured ribbing in return.

"I think it's awesome for AFPC to support us [the volunteers] so we can support our war fighters," said Master Sgt. Tracy Deason. "I can't think of anything I'd rather volunteer for than the opportunity to help an injured veteran."

Members of AFPC's Junior Enlisted Council and Top 3 Association volunteer with Operation Homefront once a month and the slots are already filled through December. Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind, and to Wounded Warriors when they return home.

"I give my time because it's all I have to give and it feels good to help where it's truly needed," said Tech. Sgt. Becca Dahl.

Sometimes the volunteers help inventory donations or create care packages, and sometimes they get the chance to do something a little more personal.

"I feel pretty good about still being part of the team," Sgt. Del Toro said. "When I'm with a group of fellow Airmen like this, I know I'm with family. I feel like I'm not forgotten."