Robert, originally from Mexico, Missouri, enlisted in the Army in 1999. During his 11 years of service as an Infantryman he was deployed to Iraq twice – once in 2003 with the 4th Infantry Division and again in 2008 with 1st Infantry Division.
On May 17, 2009, a US combat patrol was attacked in Baghdad, Iraq. The attack was initiated by an EFP that hit the vehicle Robert was riding in resulting in the amputation of both legs below the knee. He was evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he spent 18 months rehabilitating. He was eventually medically retired from the Army as a Staff Sergeant.
Robert returned to Missouri after his military service and encountered difficulties adjusting. Utilizing the character and fortitude he learned in the military, Robert learned to meet his challenges head on and overcome many obstacles he once thought impossible.
Robert has been an advocate for veterans since retiring from the Army. He currently works at Veterans Unite. As a loan officer specializing in the VA home loan, he helps veterans purchase the land they fought so hard to protect. Robert volunteers as a Board Member at the local homeless veteran’s shelter, Welcome Home Inc., in Columbia, MO. He also volunteers as a Veteran Service Officer with the DAV filing VA disability claims on behalf of those who served.
Robert currently resides in Columbia, MO, with his wife Krystal and their three children Sebastian (18), Lyric (9) and Emmett (1-1/2) in his home built by Homes for Our Troops.
