Marine Veteran Joe Rivera
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin by Imani Tate and photograph by Will Lester - Senior Staff Photographer
Joe is a Marine Veteran whom 35 years ago was the lone survivor of a mid-air helicopter collision on February 10, 1981 which claimed the lives of six fellow marines. Joe’s flight suit was doused with fuel and he was ablaze with flames, his back broken and helicopter parts pinning him down as he hung upside down. The last thing Joe saw was the white light and he thought he was dead. Joe crawled 20 to 25 feet and yelled for help. Help did come quickly because “luckily” the crash happened over the base. The help that was coming almost killed Joe, when rescuers, unable to see the mud-covered Marine on the ground, almost rolled over him with emergency vehicles.
Joe sustained third-degree burns to the bone on his legs, thighs and lower buttocks, broken back, fractured pelvis, both knees injured and the anterior cruciate ligament and cartilage torn and broken left leg. He endured seven skin-graft surgeries and two knee surgeries. He experienced extreme pain, having his legs scrubbed raw with wire brushes to remove dead, charred skin and gangrenous tissue.
Joe was a West Covina Police Department officer from 1994-2012. During this time he worked a protection detail for Quincy Jones, Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities.
Last Tuesday, April 19th, Joe's home which he rents in La Verne, suffered major damage from a fire and is being forced to relocate with his family.
Joe has dedicated his life to public safety as well as protecting the freedom of all. Joe has overcome many tragic events in his life while helping others.
In an interview with the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and also posted in the Military.com web page Joe stated: "I should have been dead seven or eight times, but God left me here because he wanted to use me for something special. I can give my testimony to others and let people know if God will do this for me, he can work miracles for you, too."
Joe is a humble, generous kind man, and to many a hero, and would never ask for help. For this reason family and many other neighbors would like to help Joe and his my family in any way possible and hope for your help and assistance.
Joe is a Marine Veteran whom 35 years ago was the lone survivor of a mid-air helicopter collision on February 10, 1981 which claimed the lives of six fellow marines. Joe’s flight suit was doused with fuel and he was ablaze with flames, his back broken and helicopter parts pinning him down as he hung upside down. The last thing Joe saw was the white light and he thought he was dead. Joe crawled 20 to 25 feet and yelled for help. Help did come quickly because “luckily” the crash happened over the base. The help that was coming almost killed Joe, when rescuers, unable to see the mud-covered Marine on the ground, almost rolled over him with emergency vehicles.
Joe sustained third-degree burns to the bone on his legs, thighs and lower buttocks, broken back, fractured pelvis, both knees injured and the anterior cruciate ligament and cartilage torn and broken left leg. He endured seven skin-graft surgeries and two knee surgeries. He experienced extreme pain, having his legs scrubbed raw with wire brushes to remove dead, charred skin and gangrenous tissue.
Joe was a West Covina Police Department officer from 1994-2012. During this time he worked a protection detail for Quincy Jones, Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities.
Last Tuesday, April 19th, Joe's home which he rents in La Verne, suffered major damage from a fire and is being forced to relocate with his family.
Joe has dedicated his life to public safety as well as protecting the freedom of all. Joe has overcome many tragic events in his life while helping others.
In an interview with the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and also posted in the Military.com web page Joe stated: "I should have been dead seven or eight times, but God left me here because he wanted to use me for something special. I can give my testimony to others and let people know if God will do this for me, he can work miracles for you, too."
Joe is a humble, generous kind man, and to many a hero, and would never ask for help. For this reason family and many other neighbors would like to help Joe and his my family in any way possible and hope for your help and assistance.
Organizer
Tony Osterman
Organizer
La Verne, CA