Wounded Vet Given Free SUV For Family

SHOREHAM, NY — A U.S. Army veteran and father of six who lost part of both legs in a rocket attack in Iraq was gifted with a brand-new vehicle.

John Fernandez, who lives in Shoreham, received a new eight-passenger Toyota Highlander, part of an annual Toyota donation facilitated by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association and the Wounded Warrior Project, a release said.

Fernandez' youngest child is just four months old; Toyota gifted a larger vehicle than in previous years to accommodate his family, the release said.

Each year, at the New York International Auto Show, GNYADA, partnering with Toyota and the Wounded Warrior Project, donates a new vehicle to an injured hero. This year, with the auto show canceled because of COVID-19, Fernandez received the keys from Robert Penn, dealer principal, and Chris Penn, of Penn Toyota, in Greenvale, Nassau County, during GNYADA’s annual meeting in Queens, the release said.

Also onhand was New York State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who thanked Fernandez for his service.

After graduating from West Point and training as an artillery officer, Fernandez was deployed to Iraq in March 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom; he became one of the first casualties of the war when his convoy was struck by a rocket.

Even with his legs severely damaged in the attack, he managed to drag himself back to the vehicle to save one his fellow injured soldiers, the release said.

After Fernandez was injured, he was sent to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where his left foot and right leg below the knee had to be amputated. Just months after learning to use his new prosthesis, Fernandez was able to dance with his bride at his wedding.

“John Fernandez represents the very best of who we are as a nation, displaying selflessness and sacrifice in the face of great danger,” said GNYADA Chair Jane Millman. With the new vehicle, "hopefully, the job of juggling family, work, school and other responsibilities is made easier," Millman said.

“This will be such a tremendous help to my family,” said Fernandez. “One of the challenges that I and many other wounded veterans face is having to return to our lives and reintegrate into our communities as new versions of ourselves."

He thanked all involved for the generous gift.

His oldest son, John Jr., plans to follow in his footsteps by attending West Point.

Toyota Motor Corporation has been a long-time supporter of the program, donating over a dozen vehicles to wounded veterans in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show.