Wounded Warrior Gets Hot New Set Of Wheels
LONG BEACH (CBS) — Staff Sergeant Guillermo Tejeda lost both his legs to an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) in Afghanistan.
Driving, it would seem, would be more than just a bit of a challenge.
Not for some local students -- also veterans -- who wanted to find a way to honor a hero.
So, they designed and customized a hot Camaro (make that very hot! red and black!) so Tejada could drive using hand controls.
As Edward Lawrence reported on the KCAL9 News Sunday at 9 P.M., Tejeda had been confined to a wheelchair since he was wounded. But now he's got some wheels that can really move.
The four students (two Marines, one Navy vet and an Army vet) on the project, all are students, or graduates, of Wyotech in Long Beach.
When he first saw his souped-up car, Tejeda acknowledges that he was moved to tears.
Marine veteran Tom Stein who works with Wyotech explains, Tejada paid a huge price for his country, so the school and the Semper Fi Fund, have no problem giving back to him.
Tejada will use that car to get around ... and train for more Marine Corps work. He's already served 12 years but wants to serve for at least eight more.
For more information about Wyotech, click here.
For more information about the Semper Fi Fund, click here.
