U.S. Marine is gifted a home for his sacrifice for the country
Staff Sergeant Jose Rivera has had many close calls after serving in the Marines, but what prompted that decision to serve began in 2001. Staff Sergeant Jose Rivera, a staff sergeant with the U.S. Marine Corps, has been gifted a home for his sacrifice to the country. The decision to serve in the Marines came when he and his cousin were working in the Twin Towers in 2001. Helping a Hero, a national organization that provides support for wounded veterans, gifted Rivera with the keys to his new home this week. Rivera had previously had many close calls while serving in the Marine but survived two life threatening situations.
Published : 4 weeks ago by Simoné Simpson in
Staff Sergeant Jose Rivera has had many close calls after serving in the Marines, but what prompted that decision to serve began in 2001.
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NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — Sometimes the biggest heroes don’t consider themselves as such.
"I wouldn’t consider myself a hero," said Jose Rivera, a staff sergeant with the U.S. Marine Corps. "I consider myself a person that loves his country and went out to protect it.”
A national organization this week make sure Rivera knew his heroism wouldn't go without a proper thank you. Helping a Hero, which works to empower wounded veterans by providing a home that meets their needs, gifted his family with the keys to his brand new house this week.
"It is exactly what I asked for," Celeste exclaimed. "I really love this room."
Rivera says he experienced many close calls while serving in the Marines, but his decision to serve was prompted when he and his cousin were working in the Twin Towers in 2001.
“We were walking down to the train station, and while we were walking down, I realized that I left my badge at home," Rivera said. "So I went back home to grab my badge and my cousin took the train to work.”
After Rivera boarded the train, riders were told to evacuate. After leaving the tunnel, he heard a big explosion.
"I look up, I just see everything falling down," Rivera said. "I was going in and out of consciousness.”
“The doctors were able to get some miracle done, I was able to get myself together. Once I got the OK, (I) joined my unit again.”
“The thing that is so special about Staff Sergeant Jose Rivera is that he has survived two life threatening situations,” added Meredith Iler, founder of Helping a Hero. "Helping a Hero cares about our heroes and our heroes support one another.”