Technical sergeant refuses to give up

  • Published
  • By Maj. Allen Herritage
  • Alaskan Command Public Affairs
ANCHORAGE, Alaska --  "Me, my plan is to get back to work ... I know they're not getting everything done that needs to be done with me in here," said Tech. Sgt. John Jaramillo to a small gathering of admirers at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Dec. 12. In November, the vehicle maintenance technician was nearly killed when he was accidentally pinned against a hangar wall by a 33-ton aircraft cargo loader. Thanks to the quick action of those on the scene and responding medical personnel, he lived, but with devastating injuries. 

The force of the massive vehicle had broken Sergeant Jaramillo's back in several places and the initial prognosis was not positive for the 12-year Airman from Fresno, Calif. A 95-percent chance of never walking again was a troubling figure for Sergeant Jaramillo to hear, but more troubling was the manner in which it was reported. "Don't tell me what my chances are of not doing something, tell me the chances I'll do it," he said. "I've got a five-percent chance of walking out of here!" 

This statement, and many more like it, captured the hearts of those around him. In the days that followed the accident, Sergeant Jaramillo's Air Force family, including Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, 11th Air Force commander, joined his actual family in supporting him. "I can't think of a more inspired and inspiring individual that I've personally known," said  General Atkins.

One of those inspiring people the general knew just happened to be in town. Dan Clark, a world renowned motivational speaker with an affinity for the Air Force, was in town after speaking engagements in Fairbanks and Anchorage. The former football standout was projected to enter the NFL in the early 80's but suffered an injury that paralyzed him from the waist down for a year. Similar to Sergeant Jaramillo, Clark was told he had little chance of walking again. Clark's beating the odds made it crucial for the general that Jaramillo hear his story. "I saw an opportunity, having a well-known motivational speaker who beat the odds in the face of such an injury and happened to be in town. We had to get the two together and I'm grateful Dan was so happy to do it," said General Atkins.

After a brief meeting with Jaramillo and his father, Clark was convinced of a positive outcome. "We're not worried about you one bit, Sir," said the former football star. "You're doing just fine, you motivate us." The two compared notes about their injuries and what doctors told them regarding their prognoses. That's when Sergeant Jaramillo proudly reported his prognosis had been updated and gave him a 60-percent chance of walking again. 

General Atkins recounted his first meeting with Sergeant Jaramillo after the accident and told the small gathering about a card someone gave the injured Airman. "Someone brought John a small copy of the Airman's Creed and he showed it to me. He told me he was working on memorizing the creed and that he had made progress but hadn't gotten it all down yet. Then he pointed to the last two lines and said, 'Sir, you see these last two lines ... I really like those. I will never falter and I will never fail.' And with a shaking hand, he held it up for me to read it with him and he said it again, even louder this time. With fierce resolve in his eyes he looked back up at me and said, 'I'm walking out of here, Sir!' And I believe him," said the general.