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In the fall of 2008, Romulo “Romy” Camargo, a career Special Forces Army warrant officer, was on his third combat tour in Afghanistan when his Special Forces Detachment was ambushed. Romy was shot in the neck but miraculously survived thanks to the Green Beret medics who were able to save his life. He was evacuated to medical facilities in Germany and then on to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. When Romy arrived at Walter Reed, he was in extremely grave condition. His wife Gabriella “Gabby” rushed to his side. Gabby pulled vigil over Romy, night after night, with a faith and courage that inspired everyone, but most of all her husband Romy, who has improved immeasurably since those dark, grave days at Walter Reed.
He is now recuperating at the Haley Veterans Administration Hospital in Tampa, Florida. He is on a ventilator and for the present time is paralyzed from the shoulders down. Gabby and their two-year-old son Andres live nearby in a small apartment. Despite these challenges, Romy has a unique ventilator-equipped chair that helps him work every day with his therapists. His primary goal is to breathe on his own, without the ventilator.
Romy (center) with his friends and supporters. Scott Neil, author of this story, is standing on the right with the Post 911 Foundation shirt.
He has made great strides and now can often breathe on his own up to 12 hours a day. Romy doesn’t let his challenges prevent him from enjoying a full life. Thanks to a specially equipped van and very dedicated health care providers who travel with him, Gabby and Romy are able to get out and about a good bit while he recovers. Since receiving the van a few months ago, Romy has already attended Brigadier General Reeder’s promotion ceremony, a Tampa Bay professional hockey and baseball game, a military planning conference at MacDill Air Force Base, and a day trip to Cape Canaveral.
His wife Gabby has dedicated herself with unbelievable strength to ensure Romy’s recovery; visitors are asked to not cry or show their sadness when visiting her husband. The van that Romy is able to move around in was procured after soldiers and local Tampa Bay businesses applied for a grant through the Intrepid Fund. The visit to the hockey game was arranged through a small charity started by former Special Operations soldiers, and the baseball game was made possible by a grant from The Post 911 Foundation.
Romy was surprised when his former Special Forces Detachment, just home from Afghanistan (who he had not seen since he was shot) drove twelve hours straight in a large passenger van to attend the baseball game. In June, Romy’s mortgage company served foreclosure papers directly to Romy in the VA hospital while he was going through physical therapy. Since he can’t move his arms, they tucked them under his arm and left. Once again, Romy’s network of friends rallied around him. Gaby negotiated a new rate, as well as a sharp apology from the mortgage company.
The next project for The Post 911 Foundation is to raise enough funds to complete a custom motorcycle and sidecar for Romy so he can ride into Daytona with the Special Forces Motor Cycle Club during the upcoming Bike Week in Daytona in March, 2010. We need your help to make that happen. The Post 911 Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to honoring and assisting first responders and veterans who have served our nation in the aftermath of 9/11.
We are committed to creating grass roots awareness, community support, and tangible assistance for members of the military, government, police, and firefighter communities, as well as other great Americans who have answered the call to duty since the attacks of September 11, 2001. We welcome all donations large and small. Make your check out to “The Post 911 Foundation” and mail it to: 5705 Interbay Blvd. Tampa Fl 33611, or you can use the link to our website www.post911foundation.org. Thank you in advance for your help. It is much appreciated.
Scott Neil is a Special Forces sergeant who was one of the first soldiers to deploy after 9/11 to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan with the 5th Special Forces Group. He is the co-founder, along with NYPD Detective Rich Miller, of the Post 911 Foundation. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites        
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