Eric Alva, Purple Heart recipient and retired Marine Staff Sergeant, visited the University on Tuesday to share his story of recovery, message of equality and efforts to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
University Campus Life brought Alva to speak to students as a part of the University’s Civility Week.
Alva was one of the first American soldiers wounded in the war after being deployed for the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Alva said he was trying to cook an MRE (meal ready to eat) on the engine of a Humvee when he walked over to the passenger side.
“To this day, I have no clue what it was I was getting, but I never made it,” Alva said.
He walked over a land mine and sustained severe injuries. He was only in Iraq for three hours before being injured.
After being airlifted to a hospital in Kuwait, Alva woke up dazed but completely aware of his injuries.
“I get teary-eyed to this day, but I remember seeing the right side of my blanket was flat,” Alva said.
For months, Alva recuperated and adapted to his new life after losing his right leg. He said he began to live by his mother’s motto — “Everything happens for a