In the world of veterans, preserving one’s uniform is more than just a matter of nostalgia—it’s a symbol of pride and sacrifice. For Jose Pequeno, a Marine from Tampa, Florida, his dress blues held a special place in his heart. However, after suffering a life-altering injury in Iraq, Pequeno found himself unable to wear his cherished uniform.
Pequeno, now 51, survived a near-fatal attack while serving in Iraq, an ordeal that left him with lasting injuries. Preparing for a military ball last year, he discovered that he had outgrown his Marine dress blues, an emotional moment that left him in tears.
“He had outgrown it,” his mother, Nellie, shared with Fox 13 News in Tampa. “Jose just started crying.”
A Generous Act of Kindness
Despite the disappointment, Pequeno attended the event in his Army uniform, having joined the National Guard after his Marine Corps service. It was there that they encountered Jerry Shaffer, founder of the Red Star Foundation, which aims to prevent veteran suicide.
Nellie shared with Shaffer how her son longed to wear his Marine uniform. “She said, ‘Jose gets mad at me when I dress him in his Army uniform, because he wants to wear his Marine uniform,’” Shaffer recalled. “And I said, ‘Why doesn’t he?’ That’s when she told me he’d outgrown it. So, I immediately looked at her and said, ‘I’m gonna get him a set.’”
Months later, during a 5K event in St. Petersburg, Shaffer surprised Pequeno with a complete Marine uniform, bringing tears of joy to both Pequeno and his mother. The crowd cheered as Shaffer presented the uniform, which included the hat and gloves.
“This means so much to him,” Nellie expressed.
Support from Fellow Marines
Shaffer reached out to the Marine Corps League Detachment 54 and the Order of the Purple Heart Chapters in the Tampa area to fulfill Pequeno’s wish. Once home, Pequeno’s nurse dressed him in his new uniform.
“He looks so handsome,” Nellie remarked. “He’s gone through so much. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
The Journey Through Adversity
In 2006, while serving as a military police officer in the National Guard in Ramadi, Iraq, Pequeno was severely injured by a grenade attack. The explosion, which killed his driver, left Pequeno in critical condition.
Nellie received a devastating call about her son’s condition. “And it was a phone call that took a piece of me that I won’t be able to get back,” she recalled.
Pequeno survived because he was partially ejected from the vehicle. However, the injuries were severe, with Nellie stating, “He lost half of his brain. Fifty-one percent.”
Doctors initially doubted Pequeno’s survival, and his mother wasn’t flown overseas due to the grim prognosis. Yet, Nellie’s hope never wavered. “Nobody thought he’d survive,” she said. “Good or bad, there’s always a purpose, and I believe in that, and I always said, ‘He’s gonna live.’”
Demonstrating Resilience
Over nearly two decades, Pequeno has undergone 34 surgeries. Despite his inability to speak or walk, he communicates through eye movements and limited sounds. His resilience serves as an inspiration to other veterans.
Pequeno has even used his experience to help fellow veterans struggling with mental health. Nellie relays his messages to those contemplating giving up, emphasizing the importance of perseverance.
“I would translate for them and tell them, ‘No, he’s telling you no; he’s crying, don’t do that,'” Nellie shared. “It’s not just saving lives; it’s giving purpose to people. They look at him and say, ‘Who am I to not want to do things if he’s doing this?’”
