Reserve Soldier is Three-Time Survivor Including Cancer Battle

Reserve Soldier is Three-Time Survivor
DVIDS
by Sgt. Phillip Valentine
Jun 25, 2013

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Fighting and surviving a war on terror is no easy task.

Neither is surviving almost three decades of service in the Army Reserve. Fighting and surviving cancer is a whole other level of difficulty. Combating all three simultaneously sets the bar so high, it seems insurmountable. For one soldier serving in the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, it’s entirely possible.

Master Sgt. Larry Velasco is a cancer survivor assigned to the 311th’s support operations section and currently serving here and he couldn’t be happier.

“I wanted to support my unit and the troops in Afghanistan with my skills and training I have been provided with by serving over 30 years of service,” said Velasco. “I am a soldier. I want to serve my country and make my Family proud.”

Velasco, a Los Angeles native, had served more than 17 years in the Army Reserve when he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and he believed this revelation would end his military career.
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