May 12, 2025 • 33 mins
What happens when a Marine survives what should have been unsurvivable? Tony Porta's story begins with a catastrophic IED blast in Iraq that claimed the lives of his fellow Marines and left him with burns over his entire body. From that moment in 2007, his journey through 143 surgeries and six years of hospital care reveals both the brutal reality of combat injuries and the extraordinary resilience of a Marine.
Tony takes us through his remarkable awakening from a coma on his mother's birthday, the angel he believes helped him escape his burning Humvee, and the painful years of reconstruction that followed. But this isn't just a story of physical recovery—it's about finding meaning, community, and purpose when life as you knew it disappears in an instant.
The conversation shines a powerful light on the crucial role of Semper Fi & America's Fund in Tony's recovery. When military support systems reached their limits, this organization stepped in to help his displaced family keep their home, secure appropriate housing near the hospital, and eventually provide a smart home that accommodates Tony's needs. Their comprehensive approach recognized that healing extends beyond the wounded warrior, encompassing caregivers and children who share in the journey.
Perhaps most moving is Tony's candid discussion of finding "home" after war. His heartbreaking experience of rejection in his hometown led to an unexpected discovery of a welcoming community that saw beyond his injuries. His story reminds us that true healing happens when wounded warriors find acceptance, purpose, and support to build a meaningful future.
Ready to make a difference in the lives of wounded warriors like Tony? Visit thefund.org to learn more about Semper Fi & America's Fund and support their vital mission.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Larry Zilliox (00:00):
Good morning.
I'm Larry Zilliox, Director ofCulinary Services, here at the
Warrior Retreat, and with methis week is our co-host, John
Wall, and our guest this week isTony Porta.
He's a retired Marine and he'shere to tell us about not only
(00:37):
his service and his transitionand his transition from active
to veteran, but also he's heretheir mission to include those
who are combat injured,critically injured, in all
branches.
So we're very happy that you'reable to join us, tony.
So welcome to the podcast.
(01:02):
Thank you.
So if you would tell us alittle bit about your journey
joining the Marine Corps, whyyou picked the Marine Corps and
not the Air Force, and yourservice up until that point when
you sustained your injury, yes,well, for me it was 9-11.
John Wall (01:20):
When 9-11 happened, I told my parents that I was
going to join the military,mainly to do my part as well.
In 2005, right after highschool, I joined the Marine
Corps, graduated boot camp anddeployed to Iraq in 2007.
May 5, 2007, that's uh, my lifewas changed forever.
(01:46):
I um, I was uh really badinjured, but that day I lost two
of my best friends, two marines, and since that day I, uh, I
was injured.
May 5, 2007.
I was medevaced to San Antonio,texas, to the Best Burns Center
(02:07):
for the military.
It used to be called BrookhavenMedical Center, now it's called
San Antonio Medical Center,where I spent six beautiful
years.
Larry Zilliox (02:23):
Yes, and for our listeners.
So you know, tony's anoverachiever, because during
that time you had 128 surgeriesplus yes, Is that a record?
Not quite.
Oh, my goodness.
Okay, it's a lot, it is a lot,yeah, it's, it's, it's a crazy
(02:44):
amount of I think about it.
I think about the treatmentthat you received, and there's
probably no other place in theworld where, as an injured
service member, they would getthat kind of attention than here
in the United States and withthe U?
S military.
And for those listeners whoaren't aware that when I'm
(03:07):
assuming you were injured incombat theater, you were
stabilized and then you wereflown to Germany yes, lindestahl
and in Germany they decidebasically where the best
stateside hospital is for youbased on your injuries.
So our listeners understandthat for burns and inhalation
injuries they almost always goto San Antonio.
(03:28):
If you have PTS traumatic braininjury you could very well go
to Fort Belvoir CommunityHospital and then any kind of
mobility issues usually go toWalter.
Tony Porta (03:41):
Reed.
Yeah, that includes TBI as well.
Larry Zilliox (03:43):
Yeah.
Tony Porta (03:44):
Yeah, they have a big center there.
Larry Zilliox (03:45):
Well they have that center there, because
another point I want to make toour listeners is that, generally
, whatever combat injury yousustain, it's most likely going
to be accompanied by TBI and PTS.
So it's very rare that you'regoing to be in a vehicle that
encounters a roadside bomb, forinstance, and you may have some
(04:07):
burn injuries or some sort ofyou know broken arm or even an
amputee.
There's going to be TBI andthere's going to be PTS.
There's no doubt about it.
So you get to San Antonio andwhat are you thinking?
Or where in the chain of eventsdid you become aware of the
(04:31):
seriousness of your injuries?
John Wall (04:33):
Well, the first couple of months it was, I think
, everything started back when Iarrived to San Antonio.
The Marine Corps, of course,called my mother and my dad and
I'm from Maryland so they flewmy dad, my mother and my sister
(04:54):
to San Antonio because theydidn't know if I was going to
make it or not.
I was in really bad shape.
I didn't have skin at that timeanywhere in my body.
My face was completely gone, myright arm was completely gone,
my left hand, there werebandages all over me.
(05:15):
So when they flew my family toSan Antonio, texas, I got there
on May 7th and my mother Iremember the voice of my mother.
The only thing that I was ableto remember it was the voice of
my mother, just her.
And I remember she used to tellme every single day to wake up
(05:39):
because soon was going to be herbirthday.
Her birthday is on May 11th.
So, uh, uh, when I was in SanAntonio, I was, uh, I was in a
coma.
I, uh, I was in a really badshape.
Doctors didn't know if I wasgoing to make it or not, but
surprisingly, I woke up on May11th.
(06:01):
Wow, may 11th.
I woke up saying where's mymother?
Today's her birthday.
Wow, and I was.
I couldn't remember nothingelse, but the next day I went
back in Tacoma for 30 days.
Wow.
Larry Zilliox (06:18):
And when you were transferred from Germany into
San Antonio.
Do you remember any of thatflight or any of?
John Wall (06:24):
that?
Yes, I do, I do.
I remember when the ID went off.
It completely destroyed mytruck.
I was driving that day I had mygunner, who you were, in a
Humvee A Humvee, yes.
He lost his life right away.
Same day with my A driver.
We lost his life right away sameday with my A driver and we had
(06:46):
so much ammo and so much fuelinside the truck that my friends
couldn't get near to my truckto rescue me.
So I remember everything was onfire.
I remember my Humvee broken infour pieces.
I couldn't open the door and Ibelieve in God.
(07:07):
I believe an angel saved mylife.
He opened the door for me and Iwas able to get out.
My friends told me the samething.
They told me they don't knowhow, but they saw the door
opening by itself and seeinglike someone carrying me to
safety.
I was able to get off from thetruck, go to the vehicle behind
(07:37):
my truck and I remember myfriends telling me porter, hold
on, hold on, we'll, we'll get tosafety soon, just hold on.
Then I remember uh being in thehelicopter, the medics trying
to keep me awake, tell me, don'tgo to sleep, don't go to sleep.
Uh remember uh punching me onmy chest and the next thing I
(07:57):
remember was, uh, a little bit Ithink it was in germ just
seeing the nurses and thedoctors and just saying hold on,
hold on.
And after that I just rememberseeing the beautiful face of my
mother.
Tony Porta (08:15):
Wow, wow.
That's a blessing, tony man.
It's good to have you here.
Thank you, your story isincredible.
We appreciate your service andyour sacrifice and you know
going through that journey Ihave no doubt you had an angel.
Sorry you had to endure that.
Sorry for the loss of your bestfriends while you were there.
(08:37):
Yeah, the struggles that you'vegone through are tremendous.
I mean you said 128 surgeriesplus six years, I thought, you
know, with a TBI at Walter Reedmyself, two, three years was a
long time, but I just don't knowhow you did it.
I was at my limits at that andnot even going through the
(09:01):
severeness that you've gonethrough, and you know.
I just want to say we are hereat the Willingway Retreat, we're
humbled and we're blessed tohave you here and we appreciate
you sharing your story.
My understanding is, while youwere at the hospital, you were
connected with a particular fund.
What's the name of that fund?
Can you tell us a little bitabout that and how they
(09:23):
supported you through thatjourney?
Yes, of course that's the nameof that fund.
Can you tell us a little bitabout that and how they
supported you through thatjourney?
John Wall (09:25):
Yes, of course, that's the Semper Fi in
America's Fund.
Well, my family actually metthem first my mother and my
father and my sister.
They were helping them from dayone, from day one.
But when I woke up and and Iwas able to to see around, I
(09:50):
remember seeing my first casemanager, who was sandra sailor
and caring a long time ago, andthey used to encourage me every
(10:10):
single day, telling me tony,don't, don't give up, just worry
about yourself and we'll takecare of your family.
And that meant a lot to me.
Just remember, uh, just like Isaid, I'm, we are from maryland
and I was made it back to sanantonio, texas, long ways from
home.
Yes, they left everythingbehind their jobs, the house.
My sister stopped going toschool.
They left everything becausethey didn't know if I was going
(10:31):
to make it or not.
Every day was a struggle.
Every day they were reallyhappy, uh, one minute, and the
next minute they were cryingbecause I was, I was doing so
well in one minute and then andthe next minute I was down.
And I was like that for severalyears.
But then I remember the firsttime I really asked for help.
(10:56):
It was when I was really tiredof being in the hospital.
We had a place for woundedwarriors outside the hospital,
but they were full.
My parents were staying in ahotel room close to the hospital
(11:16):
and they only had two beds forthem and my sister, and when I
was well enough to to get outfrom the hospital, I was moved
to that same hotel.
I was in that hotel room forfor a couple of I I'll say, two
(11:38):
months, sleeping with my uh,sleeping, uh in the bed and my
mother was doing wound care withmy father every day and in the
same same uh same time, going tothe hospital and do therapies,
having surgeries and things likethat.
But I was getting sick, I wasgetting really sick.
(12:00):
It was just a hotel room rightyou know, just imagine for four,
uh, for four um yes for myselfand my parents and my sister.
And then then that's when Italked to Karen and I told her
Karen, I need help, I want tomove to an apartment or
somewhere where I can have alittle bit of space, when I can
(12:24):
see my mother at least have somekind of privacy, or my father
or my sister, because it wasreally hard, it was really hard
for them.
They never complained, but they, they told me, don't worry,
we'll look for we look, we'llhelp you get an apartment.
In a couple days later, I wasmoving to a, an apartment
(12:48):
complex close to the hospital,and they helped me pay the
apartment.
They were also helping me withmy parents.
See, like I said, I have nocomplaints with the military at
all.
They did their best, but therewas a big gap.
(13:09):
There was a huge gap.
That the bit the militarycouldn't handle.
Right, it's a 2007.
There were a lot of injuries,there were a lot of casualties,
mm-hmm.
So a lot of people, just likemyself, I was, I was in another
state, away from home, right.
So my parents left everythingbehind and the fund helped my
(13:33):
parents pay for their mortgageas well, back home until they
could go back to work, and theydid it for six years, because
that's how long I was in thehospital six years.
Tony Porta (13:47):
And that was the Semper Fi Back then it was
called Semper Fi Fund, correct?
Yeah?
Now I believe it hastransitioned a few years back to
Semper Fi American Fund and weshare a common denominator here.
I'm an alumni of that as welland that's because of the
American Fund, I think they youknow they, like you said earlier
(14:07):
, they were getting so manypeople, they were inundated,
right, and there wasn't a lot ofresources, and then I think
they saw there was a greaterneed for other service members
and so they moved it to the fund, our Semper Fi Fund, american
Fund.
You in your story here, inregards to being with them,
(14:29):
those folks there are justamazing.
They try to really go above andbeyond to help the service
members that are truly, you know, injured and wounded and ill
and it sounds like they tookreally good care of you and
we're good to have, you know,organizations like that out
there that want to step up, andyou know when these I don't
think our listeners out therereally want to step up and you
(14:50):
know when, when these I don'tthink our listeners out there
really know, larry, you knowthese service members.
They go through a lot, you know, in the hospital.
Some of them become long-termpatients, sure, you know, from
their injuries sustained, andeven you know non-injuries, you
know, I think the average personwhen I was there a couple of
years ago, you know, wasprobably three years, three to
(15:14):
four years, just in a hospitalenvironment, sure, doing their
thing.
And it's nice to haveorganizations like Semper Fi,
american Fund, you know, andWilling Warrior, and there's
many other that are out therethat are stepping up, that are
stepping up and it's just it'sreally nice to you know,
(15:37):
understand that I think it waslike four gold star moms or
something like that that startedthe organization.
Is that correct, tony?
Do you know that answer?
The folks that founded it, wasit?
John Wall (15:45):
mothers.
No, karen Gunter, she was anurse at that time, okay, when
she saw the needs of, becausethere were a lot of casualties
and a lot of injuries, okay, so,just a small group of wives.
They raised a little.
I think their first grant wasfor $500 when they spent it all
(16:08):
in Wonder Warriors.
Tony Porta (16:10):
Just uh-huh, uh, just like me, and that started
in san diego, uh, san antonio itstarted in san diego.
John Wall (16:17):
Oh, in san diego, yes , it's there.
In california, in california,yes, yes.
And then they moved toeverywhere, everywhere yeah they
, uh.
They're all well known allaround the country because they
have an amazing program.
They didn't only help me withapartment, they helped my
parents, just like I said, withtheir mortgage.
(16:37):
And a couple of years after me,when I arrived to San Antonio,
my dad had to go back to workand I had major surgeries.
Every day was a struggle.
As I said, I had over 128surgeries I think 143 surgeries
(16:58):
in total, but some of them werereally bad.
Some of them were small, likeopening when I was burning, I
was making a fist, so my skinmelted all around my fingers so
they had to separate one fingerat a time, but they were tiny
compared to some other surgeries.
(17:20):
For example, my face was soburned that I didn't have skin.
Doctors had to rebuild my lips,my nose, my cheeks.
Rebuild my lips, my nose, um,my cheeks, my um, my uh.
Everything that you see from myface doesn't belong there.
Everything belongs to their uh,they, uh.
(17:40):
They came from my shoulders.
My mother used to.
My mother became my nurse, mydoctor, doctor, everything,
everything.
What a great person to have totake care of you, though, right,
yes, yes, but it was reallytough.
She couldn't handle it byherself.
So when we would need help, thefund flew my dad several times
(18:03):
from Maryland all the way to SanAntonio to help me out.
When I was ready to move awayfrom the hospital area, I was
able to move to a house with thefund, where the fund helped me
out as well and also helped meto provide a vehicle where I
(18:25):
could move around with awheelchair, and there are a lot
of programs out there andthey're still helping me out if
I need it.
They have amazing programs forcaregivers as well, for example.
Being a caregiver is not easy.
No, it's not easy.
Tony Porta (18:45):
I mean you basically uprooted your family to go to
another state to see their sonand their brother.
Just, you know, not the same asit was when they remembered him
leaving and and, and theirworld is just turned upside down
, you know.
And then they got.
You know they're dealing withall the emotional battles and
(19:05):
you know displacement at thattime and why they're still
trying to hold on to you andhoping and praying that you're
going to come through and you'regoing to keep fighting and
still be with us.
And you're right, it's hard onthe caregivers and there are
organizations out there thatactually help caregivers.
I know this is one of theorganizations that can help
(19:26):
caregivers as well, along withthe Semper Fi.
John Wall (19:30):
Yes, and the children as well.
For example, when I retiredfrom the military back in 2012,
I was ready to go home.
I told my wife I was able tomeet someone.
I met my wife in 2010, when Iwas still having surgeries.
(19:50):
I met my wife in 2010, when Iwas still having surgeries.
She was able to see the personwho I was inside and not outside
, and I was blessed when my sonwas born.
We had my son in 2012, a daybefore my retirement ceremony,
so he was a nice present.
Larry Zilliox (20:11):
Yeah.
John Wall (20:12):
But, um, I was ready to move, uh, to move back home.
I love Texas.
Texas is a great state.
I love Texas to death.
Tony Porta (20:20):
Everything's big in Texas.
Yes, everything is big in Texas.
John Wall (20:24):
But uh, now they're like home, sweet home, yes, but
as I always used to telleveryone, I used to ask everyone
why did the military have tobuild the best burn center in
the hottest place of the US?
Yeah right, that's a good point.
They know we can't sweat anymore.
We have issues with the heatand the sun, sure, so I wasn't
(20:48):
able to enjoy my sun.
It was too hot for me.
Even I used to get blisters onmy hands, used by opening the
car, wow, so I couldn't enjoy myson.
So in 2012, I uh, I told mywife to that I want to go back
home, that I want to go backhome yeah we moved back home,
but I home.
(21:20):
But I had a hard time withpeople back home.
I wasn't accepted.
Just because the way I lookedback in 2012, I still had a lot
of stitches on my face, goingthrough some surgeries.
It was hard.
One day, I remember being, Itook my wife and my son to the
store and, as someone, I alwayscarry something related to the
(21:40):
Marine Corps, so they can, sopeople can know that I'm a
veteran.
I'm proud.
I'm proud that I'm alwayswearing something with the
Marine Corps logo on it.
So one day going to the store,I remember just hearing someone
saying it out loud, if it wasworth it, and that changed my
(22:05):
mindset.
I started sweating.
I started getting a differentkind of panic attack, not for me
, but for my wife and son.
It was just a split second thatI realized that.
I asked myself what am I doing?
(22:25):
What kind of life I'm giving myson and my wife?
I was ready to give up.
I was ready to give up.
I told my wife that I wanted togo back to San Antonio, where
the environment is friendly yes,it's really friendly to
veterans.
Yes, sir, because they are usedto see wounded guys like me all
(22:47):
the times.
So I decided to go back toTexas and I called Karen and
Sandra, my case manager, and Itold them I made a big mistake.
I want to go back to Texas.
Please help me because I'mreally struggling.
(23:09):
And I remember them telling medon't do it, enjoy your son,
enjoy you, love that area.
If that area doesn't, doesn'tget used, doesn't, doesn't
accept you or doesn't like youor the way you are, go somewhere
.
They go somewhere where you canfeel like home, being home, and
that's what I did.
I decided to drive north withmy wife and found a really small
(23:34):
town, and weeks before that Idid an interview with USA Today
about when home is not homeanymore and I found.
After that we found a reallysmall town in Lovesville,
Virginia.
When, just by mistake, I foundit and my wife was thirsty, we
(24:01):
stopped at the 7-Eleven storeand when I stopped, two couples
recognized me and told me that,asked me if I was going to move
there.
Larry Zilliox (24:13):
Oh.
John Wall (24:13):
I said oh, yes, I will.
That's your sign from God.
Yes, that's the sign I told mywife.
I think this is it.
Tony Porta (24:20):
Yeah.
John Wall (24:21):
I think this is it.
Tony Porta (24:24):
And you couldn't have picked a better place.
That's a beautiful place upthere.
Yes, we're glad you found ahome.
John Wall (24:29):
Really friendly.
It's a beautiful place up there.
Yes, I'm glad you found a home,really friendly.
And I called December 5 Fundand told them I might have found
the right spot.
And they told me are you sure?
I said don't know, but it feelslike home.
(25:08):
And they told me where I can doanything everything by myself.
It's a smart home.
Smart home, yes, and my gosh,without the fund I don't think I
would have make it this far.
Larry Zilliox (25:23):
Yeah.
John Wall (25:23):
Because one.
They gave me the peace that Ineeded in the beginning, used to
focus on myself and not worryabout my family, about them
losing their homes or their jobs.
They were with me since theywent until now and they take
care of my family.
I know for a fact that ifsomething happens to me, they
(25:46):
will always be there for myfamily.
They help my wife as well manytimes with amazing retreats and
amazing programs, because Ithink it's not only us that we
suffer, it's our wives and ourkids as well.
Sure, for example, me.
I struggled with my wifeseveral times, not because I
(26:08):
wanted to, but there were a lotof wounds that I didn't close I
I wasn't able to close thosewounds and unfortunately, my
wife had to pay the consequencesof the nightmares of me not
being able to sleep, of mewaking up every, every night,
(26:29):
sweating mm-hmm of me.
Sometimes, when I'm reallystruggling with depression, I ha
, I go too much to the basementand you stay there and my wife
has to have to endure all ofthat pain with me.
So they helped my wife as welland I can say the fund has
(26:53):
helped me so much, yeah, andthey have done so many things
for so many veterans.
Larry Zilliox (26:59):
Let's get our listeners to the fund webpage
and it's really simple.
It's thefundorg, thefundorg.
I want all our listeners to gothere, and our regular listeners
know what I'm about to say.
When you're there, you knowwhere that donate button is.
It's up in the right-handcorner.
(27:20):
It's a big red button.
It's the same for all veteranservice organizations.
But if you're going to go tothat webpage, I want you to make
a donation, because you haveheard Tony's story and the
amount of assistance that he'sgotten is tremendous, and he's
not the only one.
It's not like they do this forjust one or two guys.
(27:40):
They need substantial financialassistance.
They need substantial financialassistance, and you know, if
you are active duty, think aboutCFC.
If you work for a company thatwill match your donation.
Let them know that you want togive to the Semper Fi Fund,
(28:01):
america's fund, and give whatyou can, because this is one of
the organizations out there thatis filling the gap in such a
way that it's changing the livesof our wounded, ill and injured
service members, and so I can'tsay enough about what they do
and how they've helped you.
(28:21):
And they have a lot of programs.
They have transportationprograms, they have job
placement programs.
They have transportationprograms, they have job
placement programs, they havecaregiver programs, they have
financial, what they callbedside assistance, financial
assistance.
So in your particular case,your family's case, I know they
had.
It's not just fly them to SanAntonio, but then you have
(28:42):
expenses like okay, and we needtoothpaste, you know, we need to
change the clothes, we needthings that cost money.
The Semper Fi Fund is there andthey're there to help and they
are actually helping.
So, please, it's thefundorg.
I want everybody to check thewebpage out and donate.
(29:06):
Hit bang on that big red buttonand donate what you can,
because this is really a placewhere you can make a difference,
where you can put your moneyand you know that your money is
going to be put to good use.
So really, come and visit thatwebpage, check it out.
(29:28):
It's thefundorg.
Tony, as we kind of wrap it uphere, sort of gone over a little
bit, but that's okay.
You have an amazing story and Idon't think our listeners are
going to mind one bit.
If there's one thing that youcan leave our listeners with and
let them know about Semper Fi,america's Fund, what would that
(29:48):
be?
John Wall (29:49):
They will not be able to do this job with all of your
support.
We count on your support.
Like I said, I'm not the onlyone.
There are thousands of guysthat are still struggling.
They're still struggling outthere and they will need help
for a long time.
There are still a lot ofinjuries right now that are
(30:12):
happening during training and weneed to make sure that our
generation, they, know that ifsomething happens, great
organizations, just like thefund, will be there, will be for
them, or for a long time.
They will be here for a long,long time.
They cannot do it without yoursupport, man.
(30:33):
Well, thank you.
Yes, yes, make sure that theyare.
They have changed my lifeforever and they're changing
many lives wherever, and theyhave done it for a long, long
time so John is an alumni,Semper Fi alumni.
Larry Zilliox (30:47):
What do you want our listeners to know about your
experience?
Tony Porta (30:51):
I won't really talk about my experience.
I mean it's pretty much he'scaptured it all.
You know this fund steps up.
They really support theindividual that's actually going
through that journey at thattime.
They do really step up andsupport the family, especially
your caregiver.
(31:12):
Everybody that I've encounteredat the fund is just amazing.
As Tony said, we're both threedifferent people that support us
.
I don't know if everybody getsthe same or not, but you know,
and they engage with the wife orspouse and kids and it's just,
I think they try to reallyapproach it from the whole life
(31:35):
perspective because they knowthere's many things that impact
you, not just the injuries orwhatever you're dealing with,
but there are many outsideenvironmental issues that are
happening, and so they reallytry to bring it together and
support pretty much every aspectthat they can think of.
You know, and if, if they can'tfind it, they they know how to
(31:56):
reach out to get that support orif they don't have it right
away.
And, like you said earlier, youknow listeners, please.
You know if you donate just adollar or you know a couple
hundred thousand if you're, youknow, blessed like that, you
know that would be amazingbecause we got a lot of service
members that are with this fundfor the rest of their life.
They're alumni.
They're always going to needassistance and not only do we
(32:19):
just need funding, we needpeople to volunteer.
You know volunteer is criticalfor that organization as well.
So, I think that you know thisis.
I have two funds that I like,or organizations it's Willing
Warrior here in Bull Run, yeah,and then Semper Fi America Fund
is.
Those are the top two for meright now.
They've really, you know, puttheir money where their mouth is
(32:41):
and they show up and they loveand they care about everybody,
yeah their mouth is and theyshow up and they love and they
care about everybody.
Larry Zilliox (32:50):
Yeah, well, once again, listeners, the uh.
The webpage is thefundorg.
Uh, tony, thank you for comingand sitting down with us and
telling your story.
We really appreciate it.
Thank you, yeah.
Thanks, tony.
Yeah, so we'll have anotherepisode next Monday morning at
0500.
You can find us on all themajor podcast platforms.
We're also on YouTube and onWreaths Across America Radio, so
(33:14):
thanks for listening.
Good morning.
I'm Larry Zilliox, Director ofCulinary Services, here at the
Warrior Retreat, and with methis week is our co-host, John
Wall, and our guest this week isTony Porta.
He's a retired Marine and he'shere to tell us about not only
(00:37):
his service and his transitionand his transition from active
to veteran, but also he's heretheir mission to include those
who are combat injured,critically injured, in all
branches.
So we're very happy that you'reable to join us, tony.
So welcome to the podcast.
(01:02):
Thank you.
So if you would tell us alittle bit about your journey
joining the Marine Corps, whyyou picked the Marine Corps and
not the Air Force, and yourservice up until that point when
you sustained your injury, yes,well, for me it was 9-11.
John Wall (01:20):
When 9-11 happened, I told my parents that I was
going to join the military,mainly to do my part as well.
In 2005, right after highschool, I joined the Marine
Corps, graduated boot camp anddeployed to Iraq in 2007.
May 5, 2007, that's uh, my lifewas changed forever.
(01:46):
I um, I was uh really badinjured, but that day I lost two
of my best friends, two marines, and since that day I, uh, I
was injured.
May 5, 2007.
I was medevaced to San Antonio,texas, to the Best Burns Center
(02:07):
for the military.
It used to be called BrookhavenMedical Center, now it's called
San Antonio Medical Center,where I spent six beautiful
years.
Larry Zilliox (02:23):
Yes, and for our listeners.
So you know, tony's anoverachiever, because during
that time you had 128 surgeriesplus yes, Is that a record?
Not quite.
Oh, my goodness.
Okay, it's a lot, it is a lot,yeah, it's, it's, it's a crazy
(02:44):
amount of I think about it.
I think about the treatmentthat you received, and there's
probably no other place in theworld where, as an injured
service member, they would getthat kind of attention than here
in the United States and withthe U?
S military.
And for those listeners whoaren't aware that when I'm
(03:07):
assuming you were injured incombat theater, you were
stabilized and then you wereflown to Germany yes, lindestahl
and in Germany they decidebasically where the best
stateside hospital is for youbased on your injuries.
So our listeners understandthat for burns and inhalation
injuries they almost always goto San Antonio.
(03:28):
If you have PTS traumatic braininjury you could very well go
to Fort Belvoir CommunityHospital and then any kind of
mobility issues usually go toWalter.
Tony Porta (03:41):
Reed.
Yeah, that includes TBI as well.
Larry Zilliox (03:43):
Yeah.
Tony Porta (03:44):
Yeah, they have a big center there.
Larry Zilliox (03:45):
Well they have that center there, because
another point I want to make toour listeners is that, generally
, whatever combat injury yousustain, it's most likely going
to be accompanied by TBI and PTS.
So it's very rare that you'regoing to be in a vehicle that
encounters a roadside bomb, forinstance, and you may have some
(04:07):
burn injuries or some sort ofyou know broken arm or even an
amputee.
There's going to be TBI andthere's going to be PTS.
There's no doubt about it.
So you get to San Antonio andwhat are you thinking?
Or where in the chain of eventsdid you become aware of the
(04:31):
seriousness of your injuries?
John Wall (04:33):
Well, the first couple of months it was, I think
, everything started back when Iarrived to San Antonio.
The Marine Corps, of course,called my mother and my dad and
I'm from Maryland so they flewmy dad, my mother and my sister
(04:54):
to San Antonio because theydidn't know if I was going to
make it or not.
I was in really bad shape.
I didn't have skin at that timeanywhere in my body.
My face was completely gone, myright arm was completely gone,
my left hand, there werebandages all over me.
(05:15):
So when they flew my family toSan Antonio, texas, I got there
on May 7th and my mother Iremember the voice of my mother.
The only thing that I was ableto remember it was the voice of
my mother, just her.
And I remember she used to tellme every single day to wake up
(05:39):
because soon was going to be herbirthday.
Her birthday is on May 11th.
So, uh, uh, when I was in SanAntonio, I was, uh, I was in a
coma.
I, uh, I was in a really badshape.
Doctors didn't know if I wasgoing to make it or not, but
surprisingly, I woke up on May11th.
(06:01):
Wow, may 11th.
I woke up saying where's mymother?
Today's her birthday.
Wow, and I was.
I couldn't remember nothingelse, but the next day I went
back in Tacoma for 30 days.
Wow.
Larry Zilliox (06:18):
And when you were transferred from Germany into
San Antonio.
Do you remember any of thatflight or any of?
John Wall (06:24):
that?
Yes, I do, I do.
I remember when the ID went off.
It completely destroyed mytruck.
I was driving that day I had mygunner, who you were, in a
Humvee A Humvee, yes.
He lost his life right away.
Same day with my A driver.
We lost his life right away sameday with my A driver and we had
(06:46):
so much ammo and so much fuelinside the truck that my friends
couldn't get near to my truckto rescue me.
So I remember everything was onfire.
I remember my Humvee broken infour pieces.
I couldn't open the door and Ibelieve in God.
(07:07):
I believe an angel saved mylife.
He opened the door for me and Iwas able to get out.
My friends told me the samething.
They told me they don't knowhow, but they saw the door
opening by itself and seeinglike someone carrying me to
safety.
I was able to get off from thetruck, go to the vehicle behind
(07:37):
my truck and I remember myfriends telling me porter, hold
on, hold on, we'll, we'll get tosafety soon, just hold on.
Then I remember uh being in thehelicopter, the medics trying
to keep me awake, tell me, don'tgo to sleep, don't go to sleep.
Uh remember uh punching me onmy chest and the next thing I
(07:57):
remember was, uh, a little bit Ithink it was in germ just
seeing the nurses and thedoctors and just saying hold on,
hold on.
And after that I just rememberseeing the beautiful face of my
mother.
Tony Porta (08:15):
Wow, wow.
That's a blessing, tony man.
It's good to have you here.
Thank you, your story isincredible.
We appreciate your service andyour sacrifice and you know
going through that journey Ihave no doubt you had an angel.
Sorry you had to endure that.
Sorry for the loss of your bestfriends while you were there.
(08:37):
Yeah, the struggles that you'vegone through are tremendous.
I mean you said 128 surgeriesplus six years, I thought, you
know, with a TBI at Walter Reedmyself, two, three years was a
long time, but I just don't knowhow you did it.
I was at my limits at that andnot even going through the
(09:01):
severeness that you've gonethrough, and you know.
I just want to say we are hereat the Willingway Retreat, we're
humbled and we're blessed tohave you here and we appreciate
you sharing your story.
My understanding is, while youwere at the hospital, you were
connected with a particular fund.
What's the name of that fund?
Can you tell us a little bitabout that and how they
(09:23):
supported you through thatjourney?
Yes, of course that's the nameof that fund.
Can you tell us a little bitabout that and how they
supported you through thatjourney?
John Wall (09:25):
Yes, of course, that's the Semper Fi in
America's Fund.
Well, my family actually metthem first my mother and my
father and my sister.
They were helping them from dayone, from day one.
But when I woke up and and Iwas able to to see around, I
(09:50):
remember seeing my first casemanager, who was sandra sailor
and caring a long time ago, andthey used to encourage me every
(10:10):
single day, telling me tony,don't, don't give up, just worry
about yourself and we'll takecare of your family.
And that meant a lot to me.
Just remember, uh, just like Isaid, I'm, we are from maryland
and I was made it back to sanantonio, texas, long ways from
home.
Yes, they left everythingbehind their jobs, the house.
My sister stopped going toschool.
They left everything becausethey didn't know if I was going
(10:31):
to make it or not.
Every day was a struggle.
Every day they were reallyhappy, uh, one minute, and the
next minute they were cryingbecause I was, I was doing so
well in one minute and then andthe next minute I was down.
And I was like that for severalyears.
But then I remember the firsttime I really asked for help.
(10:56):
It was when I was really tiredof being in the hospital.
We had a place for woundedwarriors outside the hospital,
but they were full.
My parents were staying in ahotel room close to the hospital
(11:16):
and they only had two beds forthem and my sister, and when I
was well enough to to get outfrom the hospital, I was moved
to that same hotel.
I was in that hotel room forfor a couple of I I'll say, two
(11:38):
months, sleeping with my uh,sleeping, uh in the bed and my
mother was doing wound care withmy father every day and in the
same same uh same time, going tothe hospital and do therapies,
having surgeries and things likethat.
But I was getting sick, I wasgetting really sick.
(12:00):
It was just a hotel room rightyou know, just imagine for four,
uh, for four um yes for myselfand my parents and my sister.
And then then that's when Italked to Karen and I told her
Karen, I need help, I want tomove to an apartment or
somewhere where I can have alittle bit of space, when I can
(12:24):
see my mother at least have somekind of privacy, or my father
or my sister, because it wasreally hard, it was really hard
for them.
They never complained, but they, they told me, don't worry,
we'll look for we look, we'llhelp you get an apartment.
In a couple days later, I wasmoving to a, an apartment
(12:48):
complex close to the hospital,and they helped me pay the
apartment.
They were also helping me withmy parents.
See, like I said, I have nocomplaints with the military at
all.
They did their best, but therewas a big gap.
(13:09):
There was a huge gap.
That the bit the militarycouldn't handle.
Right, it's a 2007.
There were a lot of injuries,there were a lot of casualties,
mm-hmm.
So a lot of people, just likemyself, I was, I was in another
state, away from home, right.
So my parents left everythingbehind and the fund helped my
(13:33):
parents pay for their mortgageas well, back home until they
could go back to work, and theydid it for six years, because
that's how long I was in thehospital six years.
Tony Porta (13:47):
And that was the Semper Fi Back then it was
called Semper Fi Fund, correct?
Yeah?
Now I believe it hastransitioned a few years back to
Semper Fi American Fund and weshare a common denominator here.
I'm an alumni of that as welland that's because of the
American Fund, I think they youknow they, like you said earlier
(14:07):
, they were getting so manypeople, they were inundated,
right, and there wasn't a lot ofresources, and then I think
they saw there was a greaterneed for other service members
and so they moved it to the fund, our Semper Fi Fund, american
Fund.
You in your story here, inregards to being with them,
(14:29):
those folks there are justamazing.
They try to really go above andbeyond to help the service
members that are truly, you know, injured and wounded and ill
and it sounds like they tookreally good care of you and
we're good to have, you know,organizations like that out
there that want to step up, andyou know when these I don't
think our listeners out therereally want to step up and you
(14:50):
know when, when these I don'tthink our listeners out there
really know, larry, you knowthese service members.
They go through a lot, you know, in the hospital.
Some of them become long-termpatients, sure, you know, from
their injuries sustained, andeven you know non-injuries, you
know, I think the average personwhen I was there a couple of
years ago, you know, wasprobably three years, three to
(15:14):
four years, just in a hospitalenvironment, sure, doing their
thing.
And it's nice to haveorganizations like Semper Fi,
american Fund, you know, andWilling Warrior, and there's
many other that are out therethat are stepping up, that are
stepping up and it's just it'sreally nice to you know,
(15:37):
understand that I think it waslike four gold star moms or
something like that that startedthe organization.
Is that correct, tony?
Do you know that answer?
The folks that founded it, wasit?
John Wall (15:45):
mothers.
No, karen Gunter, she was anurse at that time, okay, when
she saw the needs of, becausethere were a lot of casualties
and a lot of injuries, okay, so,just a small group of wives.
They raised a little.
I think their first grant wasfor $500 when they spent it all
(16:08):
in Wonder Warriors.
Tony Porta (16:10):
Just uh-huh, uh, just like me, and that started
in san diego, uh, san antonio itstarted in san diego.
John Wall (16:17):
Oh, in san diego, yes , it's there.
In california, in california,yes, yes.
And then they moved toeverywhere, everywhere yeah they
, uh.
They're all well known allaround the country because they
have an amazing program.
They didn't only help me withapartment, they helped my
parents, just like I said, withtheir mortgage.
(16:37):
And a couple of years after me,when I arrived to San Antonio,
my dad had to go back to workand I had major surgeries.
Every day was a struggle.
As I said, I had over 128surgeries I think 143 surgeries
(16:58):
in total, but some of them werereally bad.
Some of them were small, likeopening when I was burning, I
was making a fist, so my skinmelted all around my fingers so
they had to separate one fingerat a time, but they were tiny
compared to some other surgeries.
(17:20):
For example, my face was soburned that I didn't have skin.
Doctors had to rebuild my lips,my nose, my cheeks.
Rebuild my lips, my nose, um,my cheeks, my um, my uh.
Everything that you see from myface doesn't belong there.
Everything belongs to their uh,they, uh.
(17:40):
They came from my shoulders.
My mother used to.
My mother became my nurse, mydoctor, doctor, everything,
everything.
What a great person to have totake care of you, though, right,
yes, yes, but it was reallytough.
She couldn't handle it byherself.
So when we would need help, thefund flew my dad several times
(18:03):
from Maryland all the way to SanAntonio to help me out.
When I was ready to move awayfrom the hospital area, I was
able to move to a house with thefund, where the fund helped me
out as well and also helped meto provide a vehicle where I
(18:25):
could move around with awheelchair, and there are a lot
of programs out there andthey're still helping me out if
I need it.
They have amazing programs forcaregivers as well, for example.
Being a caregiver is not easy.
No, it's not easy.
Tony Porta (18:45):
I mean you basically uprooted your family to go to
another state to see their sonand their brother.
Just, you know, not the same asit was when they remembered him
leaving and and, and theirworld is just turned upside down
, you know.
And then they got.
You know they're dealing withall the emotional battles and
(19:05):
you know displacement at thattime and why they're still
trying to hold on to you andhoping and praying that you're
going to come through and you'regoing to keep fighting and
still be with us.
And you're right, it's hard onthe caregivers and there are
organizations out there thatactually help caregivers.
I know this is one of theorganizations that can help
(19:26):
caregivers as well, along withthe Semper Fi.
John Wall (19:30):
Yes, and the children as well.
For example, when I retiredfrom the military back in 2012,
I was ready to go home.
I told my wife I was able tomeet someone.
I met my wife in 2010, when Iwas still having surgeries.
(19:50):
I met my wife in 2010, when Iwas still having surgeries.
She was able to see the personwho I was inside and not outside
, and I was blessed when my sonwas born.
We had my son in 2012, a daybefore my retirement ceremony,
so he was a nice present.
Larry Zilliox (20:11):
Yeah.
John Wall (20:12):
But, um, I was ready to move, uh, to move back home.
I love Texas.
Texas is a great state.
I love Texas to death.
Tony Porta (20:20):
Everything's big in Texas.
Yes, everything is big in Texas.
John Wall (20:24):
But uh, now they're like home, sweet home, yes, but
as I always used to telleveryone, I used to ask everyone
why did the military have tobuild the best burn center in
the hottest place of the US?
Yeah right, that's a good point.
They know we can't sweat anymore.
We have issues with the heatand the sun, sure, so I wasn't
(20:48):
able to enjoy my sun.
It was too hot for me.
Even I used to get blisters onmy hands, used by opening the
car, wow, so I couldn't enjoy myson.
So in 2012, I uh, I told mywife to that I want to go back
home, that I want to go backhome yeah we moved back home,
but I home.
(21:20):
But I had a hard time withpeople back home.
I wasn't accepted.
Just because the way I lookedback in 2012, I still had a lot
of stitches on my face, goingthrough some surgeries.
It was hard.
One day, I remember being, Itook my wife and my son to the
store and, as someone, I alwayscarry something related to the
(21:40):
Marine Corps, so they can, sopeople can know that I'm a
veteran.
I'm proud.
I'm proud that I'm alwayswearing something with the
Marine Corps logo on it.
So one day going to the store,I remember just hearing someone
saying it out loud, if it wasworth it, and that changed my
(22:05):
mindset.
I started sweating.
I started getting a differentkind of panic attack, not for me
, but for my wife and son.
It was just a split second thatI realized that.
I asked myself what am I doing?
(22:25):
What kind of life I'm giving myson and my wife?
I was ready to give up.
I was ready to give up.
I told my wife that I wanted togo back to San Antonio, where
the environment is friendly yes,it's really friendly to
veterans.
Yes, sir, because they are usedto see wounded guys like me all
(22:47):
the times.
So I decided to go back toTexas and I called Karen and
Sandra, my case manager, and Itold them I made a big mistake.
I want to go back to Texas.
Please help me because I'mreally struggling.
(23:09):
And I remember them telling medon't do it, enjoy your son,
enjoy you, love that area.
If that area doesn't, doesn'tget used, doesn't, doesn't
accept you or doesn't like youor the way you are, go somewhere
.
They go somewhere where you canfeel like home, being home, and
that's what I did.
I decided to drive north withmy wife and found a really small
(23:34):
town, and weeks before that Idid an interview with USA Today
about when home is not homeanymore and I found.
After that we found a reallysmall town in Lovesville,
Virginia.
When, just by mistake, I foundit and my wife was thirsty, we
(24:01):
stopped at the 7-Eleven storeand when I stopped, two couples
recognized me and told me that,asked me if I was going to move
there.
Larry Zilliox (24:13):
Oh.
John Wall (24:13):
I said oh, yes, I will.
That's your sign from God.
Yes, that's the sign I told mywife.
I think this is it.
Tony Porta (24:20):
Yeah.
John Wall (24:21):
I think this is it.
Tony Porta (24:24):
And you couldn't have picked a better place.
That's a beautiful place upthere.
Yes, we're glad you found ahome.
John Wall (24:29):
Really friendly.
It's a beautiful place up there.
Yes, I'm glad you found a home,really friendly.
And I called December 5 Fundand told them I might have found
the right spot.
And they told me are you sure?
I said don't know, but it feelslike home.
(25:08):
And they told me where I can doanything everything by myself.
It's a smart home.
Smart home, yes, and my gosh,without the fund I don't think I
would have make it this far.
Larry Zilliox (25:23):
Yeah.
John Wall (25:23):
Because one.
They gave me the peace that Ineeded in the beginning, used to
focus on myself and not worryabout my family, about them
losing their homes or their jobs.
They were with me since theywent until now and they take
care of my family.
I know for a fact that ifsomething happens to me, they
(25:46):
will always be there for myfamily.
They help my wife as well manytimes with amazing retreats and
amazing programs, because Ithink it's not only us that we
suffer, it's our wives and ourkids as well.
Sure, for example, me.
I struggled with my wifeseveral times, not because I
(26:08):
wanted to, but there were a lotof wounds that I didn't close I
I wasn't able to close thosewounds and unfortunately, my
wife had to pay the consequencesof the nightmares of me not
being able to sleep, of mewaking up every, every night,
(26:29):
sweating mm-hmm of me.
Sometimes, when I'm reallystruggling with depression, I ha
, I go too much to the basementand you stay there and my wife
has to have to endure all ofthat pain with me.
So they helped my wife as welland I can say the fund has
(26:53):
helped me so much, yeah, andthey have done so many things
for so many veterans.
Larry Zilliox (26:59):
Let's get our listeners to the fund webpage
and it's really simple.
It's thefundorg, thefundorg.
I want all our listeners to gothere, and our regular listeners
know what I'm about to say.
When you're there, you knowwhere that donate button is.
It's up in the right-handcorner.
(27:20):
It's a big red button.
It's the same for all veteranservice organizations.
But if you're going to go tothat webpage, I want you to make
a donation, because you haveheard Tony's story and the
amount of assistance that he'sgotten is tremendous, and he's
not the only one.
It's not like they do this forjust one or two guys.
(27:40):
They need substantial financialassistance.
They need substantial financialassistance, and you know, if
you are active duty, think aboutCFC.
If you work for a company thatwill match your donation.
Let them know that you want togive to the Semper Fi Fund,
(28:01):
america's fund, and give whatyou can, because this is one of
the organizations out there thatis filling the gap in such a
way that it's changing the livesof our wounded, ill and injured
service members, and so I can'tsay enough about what they do
and how they've helped you.
(28:21):
And they have a lot of programs.
They have transportationprograms, they have job
placement programs.
They have transportationprograms, they have job
placement programs, they havecaregiver programs, they have
financial, what they callbedside assistance, financial
assistance.
So in your particular case,your family's case, I know they
had.
It's not just fly them to SanAntonio, but then you have
(28:42):
expenses like okay, and we needtoothpaste, you know, we need to
change the clothes, we needthings that cost money.
The Semper Fi Fund is there andthey're there to help and they
are actually helping.
So, please, it's thefundorg.
I want everybody to check thewebpage out and donate.
(29:06):
Hit bang on that big red buttonand donate what you can,
because this is really a placewhere you can make a difference,
where you can put your moneyand you know that your money is
going to be put to good use.
So really, come and visit thatwebpage, check it out.
(29:28):
It's thefundorg.
Tony, as we kind of wrap it uphere, sort of gone over a little
bit, but that's okay.
You have an amazing story and Idon't think our listeners are
going to mind one bit.
If there's one thing that youcan leave our listeners with and
let them know about Semper Fi,america's Fund, what would that
(29:48):
be?
John Wall (29:49):
They will not be able to do this job with all of your
support.
We count on your support.
Like I said, I'm not the onlyone.
There are thousands of guysthat are still struggling.
They're still struggling outthere and they will need help
for a long time.
There are still a lot ofinjuries right now that are
(30:12):
happening during training and weneed to make sure that our
generation, they, know that ifsomething happens, great
organizations, just like thefund, will be there, will be for
them, or for a long time.
They will be here for a long,long time.
They cannot do it without yoursupport, man.
(30:33):
Well, thank you.
Yes, yes, make sure that theyare.
They have changed my lifeforever and they're changing
many lives wherever, and theyhave done it for a long, long
time so John is an alumni,Semper Fi alumni.
Larry Zilliox (30:47):
What do you want our listeners to know about your
experience?
Tony Porta (30:51):
I won't really talk about my experience.
I mean it's pretty much he'scaptured it all.
You know this fund steps up.
They really support theindividual that's actually going
through that journey at thattime.
They do really step up andsupport the family, especially
your caregiver.
(31:12):
Everybody that I've encounteredat the fund is just amazing.
As Tony said, we're both threedifferent people that support us
.
I don't know if everybody getsthe same or not, but you know,
and they engage with the wife orspouse and kids and it's just,
I think they try to reallyapproach it from the whole life
(31:35):
perspective because they knowthere's many things that impact
you, not just the injuries orwhatever you're dealing with,
but there are many outsideenvironmental issues that are
happening, and so they reallytry to bring it together and
support pretty much every aspectthat they can think of.
You know, and if, if they can'tfind it, they they know how to
(31:56):
reach out to get that support orif they don't have it right
away.
And, like you said earlier, youknow listeners, please.
You know if you donate just adollar or you know a couple
hundred thousand if you're, youknow, blessed like that, you
know that would be amazingbecause we got a lot of service
members that are with this fundfor the rest of their life.
They're alumni.
They're always going to needassistance and not only do we
(32:19):
just need funding, we needpeople to volunteer.
You know volunteer is criticalfor that organization as well.
So, I think that you know thisis.
I have two funds that I like,or organizations it's Willing
Warrior here in Bull Run, yeah,and then Semper Fi America Fund
is.
Those are the top two for meright now.
They've really, you know, puttheir money where their mouth is
(32:41):
and they show up and they loveand they care about everybody,
yeah their mouth is and theyshow up and they love and they
care about everybody.
Larry Zilliox (32:50):
Yeah, well, once again, listeners, the uh.
The webpage is thefundorg.
Uh, tony, thank you for comingand sitting down with us and
telling your story.
We really appreciate it.
Thank you, yeah.
Thanks, tony.
Yeah, so we'll have anotherepisode next Monday morning at
0500.
You can find us on all themajor podcast platforms.
We're also on YouTube and onWreaths Across America Radio, so
(33:14):
thanks for listening.
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