Erick Castro, 24, was born in Mexico and came to the U.S. at the age of one. He enlisted in the Army in 1999 and went into active duty traveling the entire western side of Europe. His specialty was working with explosives. The war on Iraq began in April 2003. Erick’s contract was to end on August 31 of that same year. Although he planned to extend his duty, his fate was sealed when a shot from an anti-tank weapon caused Erick to lose his left leg. The injury just one week before being discharged. 

 However, despite Erick’s unfortunate ordeal he maintains his positive attitude and states “I’m proud to have served in the U.S. military. I don’t have any regrets. If I could, I’d go back now and continue to help my comrades.”

 Additionally, Erick enrolled in the Disabled American Veterans Sports Clinic and has appeared on various media outlets including NBC’s Today Show, CNN, Fox News Channel, TIME magazine and the Orange County Register to name a few. In December 2003, Erick became a proud U.S. citizen. For his honor and allegiance, he was given a special ceremony at Capitol Hill in the presence of Senator Ted Kennedy. 

 Today, he attends Santa Ana College and is majoring in mechanical engineering to begin a career in robotics or airplane construction.