We are super excited about our first veteran project here at AWP. This rebuild will be for wounded American Veteran and Bronze Star with "V" and Purple Heart Recipiant Sergeant Nicolas Ramirez. The truck is on its way up from the American Warrior Garage in Georgia to Jimmys Customs in Colorado. His father, Mike Ramirez submitted an application to The American Warrior Garage to be considered for a rebuild. Jimmys Customs and AWG decided that it was very worthy, and the exact type of job that the Project would like to help with. We are so honored to have the opportunity to be able to pay back to this fine young man! Thank you veterans!
Sergeant Nikolas Ramirez, US Army, distinguished himself by heroic action to the United States as a team leader in 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Task Force Devil Strike, Train, Advise, Assist Command – South, Afghanistan in support of Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.
On 2 August 2017, 3rd Platoon, A Co 2-504th PIR was returning from an advising mission in Kandahar City, heading South on Highway 4. Sergeant Ramirez was the vehicle commander for the 4th vehicle in the convoy (BH24) when a vehicle borne improvised explosive device, driven by a suicide bomber, pulled next to the driver’s side of BH24 and detonated. The detonation caused his vehicle to flip to its side and it immediately caught fire. Due to the blast, Sergeant Ramirez and 5 other paratroopers were wounded. Sergeant Ramirez suffered from multiple injuries to include 2nd degree burns, a fractured skull, and a shattered hand.
Despite being subjected to open flame, Sergeant Ramirez checked the status of his driver, Specialist Harris, only to realize that he had been killed and could not be freed from his restraint. Directly after checking on Specialist Harris, Sergeant Ramirez exited the burning vehicle through the windshield escape exit. Once out of the vehicle, Sergeant Ramirez realized that his gunner, Sergeant Todd, was trapped and seemingly unconscious in the gun turret.
Despite the imminent danger to himself and his significant injuries, Sergeant Ramirez returned to the burning vehicle and attempted to free Sergeant Todd from the mangled gunner’s turret. While trying to free Sergeant Todd, Sergeant Ramirez’s broken arm quickly began to go numb and lose function, however he remained with Sergeant Todd in the gunner’s turret as ammunition began to cook off. With the help of a Local National, Sergeant Todd was freed from the burning vehicle after numerous attempts. Following the rescue of Sergeant Todd, additional soldiers arrived to help extract remaining casualties, and Sergeant Ramirez was escorted to triage for his injuries.
Sergeant Ramirez demonstrated extreme personal courage in spite of his significant injuries and at a complete disregard for his own personal safety; he returned to a severely damaged vehicle engulfed in flame, thick with smoke and filled with exploding ordnance in order to aid his wounded fellow Paratrooper. His actions exemplify the finest traditions of military service, a Paratrooper’s selfless devotion to his comrades, and a leader’s overwhelming dedication to his men.
"I am Sgt. Nick Ramirez's step (we don’t like that word in our family)
mom. There are no words that could express my gratitude for you doing this
for our son. This act of kindness has reminded me there are people who appreciate
and remember what our military do. Nick came into my life when he was 11/12
when I coached him on a middle school basketball team. I was so impressed
with his manners and kind heart. We became a family when Nick was 15. Even
through the tough teenage years he was loyal and loved his family, especially
his brothers and sister BIG. As Nick prepared to leave for his first deployment
I prayed a few specific prayers for him. One I prayed is that if he was
ever in a situation where he was hurt that God would surround him with fellow
soldiers who wouldn’t leave him behind. Never dreaming he would be the answer
to another mother’s prayer. I have felt his service has been forgotten by
our country. I have experienced so much anger for what my child has given
for our country and he has received so little in return. Your kindness has
shown me there are people who still care about my son and the war he faces
every day of his life. Thank you for showing me there is still people who
care about my son. Also, I wanted to see if you could send me the names
and addresses of the ppl who donated and all of the people who have donated
their time to work on Nick’s truck. I would like to send thank you notes
to anyone who has shown kindness to our son. Thank you again for all you
are doing for Nick".
Additional Articles: Bronze Star Fayetteville Observer BSM Narrative