Reflecting on Those We Serve

By the Bob Woodruff Foundation

Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, originally marked the anniversary of the armistice that ended the World War I. Today, it is a day to honor all who have worn our nation’s uniform.

Like other holidays, it is also a day off from work or school for many—co-opted by holiday sales. It’s become far too easy to lose focus on the veterans themselves.

The Bob Woodruff Foundation would like to reaffirm its commitment and gratitude to those who have served, by putting a face on those we serve through our support of veteran programs nationwide.

Finding Strength

Israel Del Toro was nearly killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan, while serving as an Air Force tactical air control party specialist.

“My lieutenant told me ‘You’re not gonna die here. You said you would never let your son grow up without his dad. You gotta fight.”

Beyond the strength he gained from the love of his wife Carmen and son Israel, Jr., he found a renewed sense of purpose through adaptive sports, including shot put, cycling and archery.

He has competed in the Warrior Games, as well as the 2014 Invictus Games in London, both of which were sponsored by the Bob Woodruff Foundation. He and his family captured the hearts of the world during the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando, where he shared the stage with Prince Harry.

Finding Purpose

Lourdes Tiglao cared for the critically wounded aboard Air Force medical flights. She compartmentalized her feelings. There was no time to reflect or grieve; it could cost lives.

Lourdes felt lost when she returned home. A shadow of depression loomed over her — until she found Team Rubicon USA, where she repurposed her skills for disaster relief and became one of the first Clay Hunt Fellows. The Bob Woodruff Foundation was a founding sponsor of the 12-month leadership and training program.

“Team Rubicon is good for my soul. It’s been my rock, where I’ve found support, solace and strength in knowing that my TR family is there to lend a hand and help me grow.”

Finding Inspiration

Shawn Sears served two deployments to Iraq as an Army medic, where he tended to his fellow soldiers’ wounds. Today, he battles his own injuries: post-traumatic stress and a traumatic brain injury, accompanied by chronic migraines, neck and back pain.

Permanently disabled, Shawn’s family of five lives on a fixed income. Yet through Our Military Kids, his daughter Kendall is able to pursue her love of dance.

Hundreds of children have been given the opportunity to take part in sports, arts and other means of enrichment during parent deployment or recovery through the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s support of the program.

“Kendall’s dancing inspires everyone … she shines. That makes my heart smile. It is priceless and worth everything I deal with in my life.

Finding Healing

Heather Cereste served as an Air Force physician at Balad Trauma Hospital in Iraq — the hospital that first cared for Bob Woodruff. However, when she returned home, she struggled with her own mental health.

“As a physician I’ve always relied on my brain, and for it to go haywire and not really know how to take care of myself was hard for me to deal with.”

She began to lose hope until she discovered Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program that provides world-class clinical care, wellness education and research. There, she faced her illness directly and honestly.

Heather no longer feels defined by her illness — and looks forward to a bright future.

Finding Solutions

Nearly a quarter million service members transition out of the military each year. While most have returned home safely to find success in life, tens of thousands have sustained physical or hidden injuries.

Yet with the support of best-in-class programs, veterans—like Israel, Lourdes, Shawn and Heather—are empowered to realize their hopes and aspirations.

Since its founding more than a decade ago, the Bob Woodruff Foundation has invested more than $45 million to Find, Fund and Shape™ innovative programs that have empowered impacted veterans, service members and their families across the nation.

You can learn more by visiting us at BobWoodruffFoundation.org.