

A Hero’s Promise - with Israel Del Toro
Apr 1, 2019
Israel Del Toro, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, shares his incredible journey from tragic childhood loss to becoming a decorated veteran. He recounts surviving 80% burns from an IED explosion and the emotional scars of facing life anew. Del Toro discusses the honor of his awards and the challenge of re-enlisting as a 100% disabled veteran. His story of resilience illuminates the power of community, family support, and the transformative journey from pain to triumph, inspiring others to overcome their own adversities.
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Early Losses
- Israel Del Toro lost his father at 12 due to a heart attack.
- His mother died in a drunk driving accident when he was 14.
A Sense of Being Cursed
- Del Toro felt cursed because highs in his life were always followed by devastating lows.
- These included his dad’s death, his mom’s death, and later incidents.
Military Career and the Incident
- Del Toro joined the Air Force seeking a challenging role as a JTAC.
- In Afghanistan, an IED detonated, causing severe burns over 80% of his body.