E.8: Tavera: PH Shining Hero Shows Fire is Not Just Heat, but a Transforming Light

Meet Joel Tavera, former Army Sgt. and born in Queens, New York, but calls North Carolina home.Tavera suffered serious injuries in March 2008 when rocket-propelled grenades struck his Army Humvee.Three men were killed in the blast, while Tavera barely made it out alive.Tavera's skull was broken by the force of the bombs and rockets. Sixty percent of his body sustained third-degree burns from the combustion's firestorm.He lost sight in both eyes but earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. In addition, he lost the ability to move his upper extremities, his right leg below the knee, and four fingers.