​MOSES SONERA

​Moses enlisted in the Army June 24, 1998, as a Combat Engineer, 12B. His first duty station was Fort Carson, Colorado, and from there he was deployed twice; to Bosnia in 2000, and to Egypt in 2001. He was then transferred to Scofield Barracks, Hawaii, and was assigned to the 65th Engineer Battalion. During this time, he was deployed three times; to Thailand, Kuwait and Iraq in 2004.

On March 30, 2004, he was severely wounded by a mortar attack. He was sent from Iraq to Germany, to Andrews Air Force Base in Virginia, to Travis Air Force Base in California, and finally to Tripler Medical Center in Hawaii.
“The doctors tried to save my leg for almost a year, but in June 2005 my left foot was amputated. I suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, Traumatic Brain Injury, and my amputation, but, I was never down because of the help of my wife and kids.” Moses knows that he must live for himself and his children, and to him that is a soldier’s real mission.

Since retiring from the Army in May 2006, Moses joined several local group activities to get back into society, the transition to civilian life was difficult, but with the love and support of his family, Moses was determined. He received his welding certification, learned surfing in Pismo Beach, and has played with the Sled-Hockey Team in San Antonio, Texas, for about five years. He won two matches with the Amputee Boxing Association, and has been a trainer. He was also able to play golf in Old Course Scotland, and had an opportunity to skydive.

Moses’ goal is to help other wounded soldiers and their families with the struggles they are facing or are going to face. One of his dreams has been to ride a motorcycle to Sturgis, South Dakota. He remembers riding a motorcycle during his stay at Oahu, Hawaii, with a few of his soldier friends. He wants to ride again, to free all his troubles. Moses is grateful to his family, to God for always pushing him to survive for the next day, and to Veterans Charity Ride, for modifying an Indian Motorcycle for him to ride and making his dream come true.

He is married to his sweetheart Maria of twenty years, and they have four children, Moses Jr. and Melany, ages 19 and 18, and Maria and Mathew, ages 13 and 8.