Geoffrey Quevedo is the son of two Mexican immigrants. They came to America to give their family a better life.

Geoffrey's parents worked in the California fields to provide for their three children. They believed in the American dream and worked hard to achieve it.

Geoffrey's uncle opened a restaurant which his family rallied around to provide support.  His mother worked in a laundromat. She worked three jobs for several years.

Geoffrey grew up in the small town of Cutler, California with his brother and sister.  He maintained his 2.0 GPA to stay on the soccer team.

The family moved to Wheatley, California where Geoffrey graduated from high school.  There, he met his future wife, although at the time they couldn't stand each other.

Geoffrey's classmates dreamed of going to college.  He only wanted to join the U.S. army, which Geoffrey enlisted at the age of 18.

Geoffrey attended basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky in 2010.  This was followed by a stint at Fort Drum, NY, a stone's throw from the Canadian border.

Geoffrey's one and only deployment was to Afghanistan.  He arrived in the foreign country as a cavalry scout, and volunteered to work the mine detector.  

From April to September of 2011, Geoffrey was able to escape injury. He went home for a two week leave, and came back ready to do his duty to the best of his ability.

On November 30, 2011, Geoffrey and his partner were "sweeping" a compound.  The day was ending, they were finishing their assignment when Geoffrey's partner decided to do one last extra. 

Boosted over a 8-9 foot mud wall, Geoffrey followed his partner down a tight alley way, which opened onto a backyard area.  Geoffrey's partner began setting up for the probe. Geoffrey had his left arm on the wall and his left foot forward.  BOOM!

Geoffrey woke up a week later at Walter Reed hospital.  His injuries were extensive:  missing toes on his left foot; broken left knee cap; missing left arm; shrapnel damage from the waist down; collapsed lung; 16 unit blood transfusion; half of his face broken; four front teeth missing; half of his palate gone; nose broken; and damage to his eyes.

It was a long road back.  Geoffrey fought hard with fortitude and humor. something that still carries him through every day.

Geoffrey admits he lives with pain on a daily basis, but he won't let it dampen his outlook on life. He lives with humor, gratefulness, and a longing to understand people.

Geoffrey completed his bachelors degree in psychology. He lives in California with his wife, two sons, and a princess daughter.

You can find Geoffrey on Facebook at Geoffrey Quevedo on Facebook

He is passionate about Homes For Our Troops, an organization from which his family has personally benefited.