United States Army Sergeant Jeremy Ramirez’s journey began in hardship, but was forged into something extraordinary through courage, love, and an unwavering sense of duty. His early years were marked by instability and struggle, but fate intervened in the form of Gloria Garcia, who stepped in and became his legal guardian. Gloria didn’t just offer Ramirez a home; she gave him structure, guidance, and the moral compass that would shape the rest of his life. With her support, he discovered his passion for sports and the outdoors, joining every team he could and embracing the opportunities that had once seemed out of reach.
It was during this transformative time that Ramirez met Ana, the girl who would later become his wife. Although their romance didn’t blossom until after high school, their connection was rooted in years of friendship and understanding.
Ramirez’s sense of purpose deepened after 9/11. Inspired by his Uncle Larry—a Vietnam veteran and father figure—Ramirez felt a powerful call to serve. In 2005, he enlisted in the Army, where he found fulfillment in the discipline, camaraderie, and teamwork of military service. Among his proudest achievements were graduating as an honor grad from basic training and leading a weapons squad in 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment.
With honor came hardship. While deployed in Baghdad, Ramirez’s team was ambushed and hit by a 500-pound pressure plate IED. The explosion claimed the lives of four men and injured five others, including Ramirez. He emerged a partial paraplegic, with hardware in his back, leg, ankle, and foot, and shrapnel embedded throughout his body. He also battles PTSD—a silent wound that he faces with the same strength that carried him through combat.
Despite these challenges, Ramirez’s spirit remains unbroken. His life today revolves around his children—supporting them in sports, piano lessons, and school clubs. He finds joy in cooking for loved ones, watching games, playing poker, and, more recently, immersing himself in the world of golf—a sport he never expected to love but now passionately follows.
Ramirez feels blessed by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation for lifting heavy financial burdens and providing a smart home tailored to his needs, allowing his family to focus on what matters most.
When asked what he wants people to know, United States Army Sergeant Jeremy Ramirez’s answer is simple and profound: “I love my country and my family, and I would do it all over again—even knowing I’d be permanently injured—because I was put on this earth to serve in the United States Army.”
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided United States Army Sergeant Jeremy Ramirez with a mortgage-free smart home through the Smart Home Program.