Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) is a privately funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-partisan organization that builds and donates specially adapted, custom homes nationwide for severely injured post 9/11 Veterans. Veterans choose the community where they wish to focus on recovery and rebuilding their lives. HFOT has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend a Community Kickoff ceremony in Vista, CA, for Cpl Antonio "Tony" Ortega, a combat wounded warrior. We are honored to do so.
HFOT will be constructing a custom home for our Hero in this community that will be adapted to his needs and will be mortgage-free. HFOT has done this for many wounded warriors across the country.
Inspired by the training he received in his high school’s JROTC program, Tony joined the Marines in 2007, planning on a lifelong military career.
On October 29, 2009, during his first combat deployment, Tony was serving as an Infantry Rifleman with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in Afghanistan when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED). The blast resulted in the loss of his left leg below the knee, burns on 25% of his body, scarring and resulting skin grafts on his right arm and leg, and other injuries.
Airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany, then transported stateside to Bethesda Naval Hospital, Tony underwent multiple surgeries and completed his rehabilitation at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. He medically retired from the Marine Corps in 2012.
Tony works as an X-ray technician in his local community. He enjoys camping and spending time with his wife, Cynthia, and their daughter, Isabella. His current house has narrow doorways and hallways, limiting his ability to rest and recover in his wheelchair. Stairs to the upper level and uneven surfaces throughout the home pose trip hazards when Tony is wearing his prosthetic.
A specially adapted custom HFOT home with widened hallways and doorways and carpet-free surfaces will provide a safe and secure environment for Tony to rest comfortably at home after an active day. He’s looking forward to having more time to spend with his family and the financial freedom of a mortgage-free home. Originally from California, Tony is choosing to remain in his home state to be close to his family.
The PGR will meet and brief at the initial staging area for the procession. There may be a police escort and fire department assistance during the accompaniment to the Community Kickoff venue where our Hero will be honored for his service and sacrifice. The general public have been notified and may line the streets to welcome him.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the Hero and his family to the event location. Please see the time table if you would like to participate.
Timetable for Saturday, 21 June 20250900 - Stage at parking lot of Gopher Canyon Park and Ride, 29762-29794 Old Hwy 395, Escondido, CA 92026
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4FRzRpsZMx753wSQ70915 - Mission briefing
0930 - KSU to 2nd staging location (Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, 29402 Spa Havens Way, Vista, CA 92084)
0935-0940 - ETA at 2nd staging location - (NOTE: Accompaniment will be under 5 minutes)
1010 - KSU for accompaniment to Community Kickoff event location (The Havens Country Club, 29354 Vista Valley Dr, Vista, CA 92084)
R/C Robert “Chopper Bob” Mahoney
SoCal Patriot Guard Ride Captain(760) 201-7905
You do not have to be a veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the Ride Captain (RC). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
