Walk honors wounded veterans, raises funds

Last Updated on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 02:53 pm Written by Ann Richardson Tuesday, October 02, 2012 01:00 am

OCEAN CITY — Cpl. Ronny Porta’s life was changed forever when he suffered life-threatening injuries after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device near Al Ascad, Iraq in 2007.

The United States Marine suffered third, fourth and fifth degree burns over 80 percent of his body, as well as the eventual loss of his right arm and right ear, and severe damage to his right eye.

Despite the severity of his injuries, Porta told the large crowd gathered for the fourth annual Walk for the Wounded event held on the Ocean City Boardwalk Saturday, Sept. 29 that the pain from losing his two best friends in the blast, Master Sgt. Kenneth Mack and Cpl. Charles Palmer was worse than the injuries.

“After I found out my two of my friends were no longer here, I was devastated,” he said. “I wanted to kill myself.”

Porta was ready to disconnect the wires to the machines that were keeping him alive, but that night, he said, he felt the presence of the deceased Palmer and Mack.

“They told me to keep fighting, that life was not over yet for me,” he said.  

There is a bond uniting military brothers and his brothers wanted him to keep fighting, he said.

“There exists a special brotherhood, those who share shoulder to shoulder, the bond develops quickly simply by the virtue of the call to duty,” he said. “There is a sense of duty to look out for each other.”

Fighting would be difficult, however. He endured 125 surgeries over five years.

“Everything on my face belongs to different parts of my body,” said Porta. “They had to rebuild my nose, my chin. It was hard on my family.”

Palmer and Mack would continue to work miracles for him, Porta said.

“This year something amazing happened to me,” he said.

He retired on May 8 and on May 10, his son, Kenneth Charles Porta was born. After rounds of radiation and so many surgeries, he thought it would be nearly impossible for his wife to become pregnant.

“He was the gift my friends gave me,” he said. “I was almost giving up, so many times. I was in so much pain. At one point, I said enough is enough, but my son changed my life, I had motivation.”

Porta, standing with Operation First Response founder Peggy Baker, grew emotional as his wife, Diecy, and son joined him.

Walk for the Wounded raises funding for Operation First Response, a nonprofit organization providing financial assistance and support to wounded soldiers and their families. Sponsored by Ocean City Home Bank, the event, including a three-mile walk, raised over $75,000 for Operation First Response.

Because of Operation First Response, Porta’s family, from Maryland, was able to spend time with him in a San Antonio, Texas hospital. 

“I spent almost a year-and-a-half in the hospital, they didn’t know whether I would make it or not,” he said. “Thanks to Miss Peggy and OFR, it got better.”

Operation First Response was not finished with him yet, though. The organization had a surprise for him. The parents of the late Palmer, Teri and Charles Palmer arrived from Mateca, Calif.

The crowd clapped and cheered as most wiped tears from their eyes. Charles Palmer took the baby and held him high for the crowd to see.

“Cpl. Palmer is always with me,” said Porta. “Every single surgery he was right there next to me. I never took any pain medication because I had my two best friends next to me. Thanks to them I have my baby boy with me now. I know ‘you guys’ are here.”

Charles Palmer said that because of their love for Porta, he said he and his wife represent Operation First Response at numerous events.

Baker presented the Palmer’s with a special gift, a painting of their son.

“You can probably see why we work so hard every day,” Baker said.

Chief Warrant Officer Trevor Jenni was presented with a plaque for his service.

“He is one of your hometown heroes,” said Baker of the Ocean City resident and former Eagle Scout who joined the U.S. Army infantry squad, working his way through the ranks to become a Black Hawk pilot.

“We will never forget what it means to be free and what it takes to keep that freedom,” said Baker. “Thank you, Trevor.”

Walking with a cane, said Jenni, was nothing next to what some of his former comrades suffered.

“I feel fortunate,” he said, while there are some “guys in wheelchairs,” and others suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Yet, he said, they “keep on keeping on,” or “get after it” as Jenni’s former colonel used to say.

“I appreciate everyone, to see all of you coming out really means a lot,” he said. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Maj. 1st Class Joshua Ferguson of the U.S. Army’s 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) began his “long journey” when he was returning home from a training meeting south of Baghdad when a roadside bomb known as an explosively formed penetrator struck his vehicle, injuring him and four fellow soldiers.

As a result of the blast, he lost his left leg above the knee. After several years of rehabilitation, four of them at Walter Reed, Ferguson fought to remain in the Army and was approved for active duty.

“I would not be here today if it was not for my wife, Danielle, Operation First Response and Peggy,” he said.

Ferguson, Baker said, was able to keep his full attention on the mission – recovery – because Danielle was able to hold down the home front.

Capt. Steve Costantino of the Ocean City Fire Department led a team of firefighters, who walked with more than 80 pounds of equipment on their backs, still wet from fighting a huge fire at the Hotel Bellevue on Friday.

Local firefighters were joined by firefighters from Wildwood, Vineland and Marmora, creating a large contingency following the Ocean City High School Red Raider marching band down the boardwalk.

The FMBA Local 27, Costantino said, launched a $5 Freedom Sticker campaign, raising $10,975 for Operation First Response, and the total continues to grow.

“This is a cause that firefighters have embraced and will continue to embrace,” said Costantino, adding that a dozen Ocean City firefighters are veterans. “We will be with you every step of the way.”

Firefighter Wyatt Clevenger, a non-active U.S. Marine and scout sniper, said he was honored to have the opportunity to support the wounded warriors and pay tribute to those who served.

“The firefighters are proud to help raise funds for a worthy cause,” he said. “It makes me proud to be an American and see so many people involved.”

Those in the military share one goal, Clevenger said, and that is a world free from terror.

“As a result, these soldiers suffered life threatening, tragic injuries,” he said. “Through this great cause we share our gratitude.”

St. Joseph’s University boy’s basketball Coach Phil Martelli addressed the crowd and asked veterans to raise their hands.

He praised the Ocean City firefighters for raising nearly $11,000 “five dollars at a time.”

“That’s what Ocean City is all about,” he said.

“This is not symbolic, this is meaningful,” he said.

While the crowd goes home, he said the soldiers continue to sacrifice.

“May God bless them and may God bless you.”

In parting, Porter challenged the crowd.

“Invite one more person next year,” he said.

 

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