Together, we can help families like Alex’s stay together.
Retired Staff Sergeant Alex Aguilar followed in her older brother’s footsteps to join the military in 2004 as an Aviation Technician, specializing in Blackhawk helicopters. Tragically, her 29 year old brother was killed in 2009 in Iraq — a harsh reality of war, and an invisible wound that Alex has worked to heal since then.
Alex refused to let the loss stop her dedication, so she continued her 14-year military career, which included deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Spartan Shield. In February 2016, a debilitating, mysterious auto-immune illness forced Alex to be medically evacuated out of Kuwait to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Alex’s husband Raul, who was deployed with her, served as her non-medical attendant for the trip. With their two young children being cared for in California, their minds were overflowing with concerns as they entered uncharted territory in the midst of her medical emergency. Alex’s hospitalization continued for months, including at least one procedure or surgery every few weeks.
Eventually, Alex and Raul were reunited with their children in Washington, DC. Since it was difficult for the entire family to live together on base at Walter Reed, they were desperate to find affordable and suitable accommodations close to Walter Reed. That’s when they were introduced to Yellow Ribbon Fund. Within a matter of days, the Aguilar family had a fully-furnished apartment to move into, and a rental car equipped with two car seats for their use until their vehicle shipped from California.
Alex will never forget the overwhelming sense of relief to have YRF’s support when they had no other options. YRF bridged the gap for the Aguilar’s until they were ready to move into their own apartment a year later.
Alex medically retired in 2018 but her care at Walter Reed is ongoing. In 2019, Alex joined Yellow Ribbon Fund as the Crossroads Program Coordinator, providing other injured, ill and wounded post-911 service members with housing and transportation support, as they navigate the same challenges she once did.
“Yellow Ribbon Fund’s support came at a time when we had no idea where else we would turn for help. They made it possible to keep our family together with the necessary essentials while I continued my treatment nearby at Walter Reed. We are forever grateful, and I am humbled to now be able to assist other service members as they navigate similar challenges.”
– Alex Aguilar
