DENVER (KDVR) — Three months prior to being deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, Gabe Martinez had just married his wife, Kayla. One month later, on Thanksgiving Day, Gabe called Kayla with the devastating news that he had been injured by an improvised explosive device blast and med-evacuated out with one of his best friends. Both men lost their legs.
“I looked down and my right leg is on my chest my left leg is off to the side and right then and there I kind of knew I was in bad shape,” said Martinez.
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Upon his arrival at Walter Reed Military Hospital, Gabe and Kayla were met with immediate assistance from veteran nonprofit Semper Fi & America’s Fund , allowing his family to visit him after his discharge with no financial repercussions.
He remembers a pivotal moment when a triple amputee veteran walked into his hospital and delivered a message.
“To have somebody in my situation tell me that life goes on, you will be okay, and maybe suck it up,” said Martinez.