An Army of Uno
"He enlisted in July 2003. Two years later, after he'd returned from Iraq, Angel was sworn in as a U.S. citizen. But things were different since he got injured there. Sitting in a wheelchair and wearing a plastic helmet to protect his brain, Angel and his parents faced an immigration official.
"Please raise your right hand," the official said. Angel couldn't — he's mostly lost the use of that arm. He rose his left hand instead and said a soft "I do" at the proper moment.
Angel was finally a citizen, but any hopes of going to college were all but dashed. He had to once again learn how to walk, to talk, and to live on his own."
MARY SPICUZZA in SF Weekly, June 20, 2007.