The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas Lottery veteran recognition brings surprise, emotion
11.17.2016 | Football, Longhorn Sports Properties / Learfield
David DeTuccio, U.S. Army veteran, was honored during the Texas Football game against West Virginia.
Thanks to the Texas Lottery, great things are happening all across Texas. Every year, more than a billion dollars goes to good causes like public education and veterans assistance programs.
Since 1992, the Texas Lottery has generated more than $25 billion in revenue for good causes in the state of Texas, including education, veterans' services and other important state programs. Through strict adherence to their vision, mission and core values, the Texas Lottery is dedicated to ensuring that these benefits continue.
A Purple Heart recipient, U.S. Army Spc. David DeTuccio joined the military in 2007, not long after graduating from high school. Following basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, DeTuccio was sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana, where he was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division 2nd Infantry 30th Battalion.
In 2007, DeTuccio was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, where his unit was known for being involved in raids and extractions. On Feb. 19, 2008, his unit was ambushed outside of their compound. A rocket-propelled improvised explosive device struck DeTuccio, catapulting his body into a cinder block wall.
Following the attack, he was medevacked to the Balad Air Base (Iraq) trauma center followed by Landstuhl, Germany, before finally making it to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
DeTuccio's injuries included shrapnel wounds, difficulty walking, loss of function in his left shoulder, severe post-traumatic stress disorder, seizures, troubled speech, and a traumatic brain injury resulting in memory loss, headaches, and cognitive disorder. He spent the next year in and out of military hospitals undergoing multiple surgeries and attending therapy before medically retiring in August 2009.
Currently, DeTuccio lives with his wife, Nicole, and four children: Kirsten (18), Zoe (13), Caden (5) and Amelia (18 months) in Nebraska. DeTuccio wants to go back and finish his degree. The DeTuccio family actively volunteers at their church. In addition to being David's full-time caregiver, Nicole also home-schools Zoe and Caden.
The DeTuccio family traveled to Austin last week expecting to be interviewed by Operation Finally Home, a national, non-profit organization with a unique network of experienced builders, suppliers, and supporters dedicated to building homes for wounded, ill or injured veterans, surviving spouses and their families.
Instead, they were suprised during an on-field presenation to learn they were the recipients of a new Central Texas home; they plan to move this summer after Kirsten graduates high school.
David DeTuccio Q&A
What were your expectations for the trip to Austin?
They told me they were flying me down with my family for an interview. Then we'd sit with a builder, and discuss options for a home, if we were chosen. Two days prior to flying down, they said the builder was delayed, so we could not meet with them. They asked, "Would you like tickets to the UT football game?" I lived in Texas twice. I moved away my freshman year in high school, then I was in San Antonio when I was recovering from my injuries. I was a UT fan, had a shirt and everything.
Once we showed up at the game, that's when they told me I'd be honored on the field. It made sense because it was the day after Veterans Day. I thought it was so cool just to be out there for the coin toss, minus anything that happened after that.
You had no idea Operation Finally Home was involved?
Not at all. They said they wanted to do one more presentation with the whole family, so they wouldn't be left out. That's when they announced that we were getting a new home.
We were getting ready for an interview. My kids were on their best behavior. I told them maybe at the end of all this, there would be a new house. But don't get your hopes up. I didn't want to set us up for failure or disappointment.
That's why the emotion overtook us.
How will this affect your family going forward?
It will change our family lineage. What I mean by that is, when you don't have an expense, such as a mortgage, you can spend that extra money on education, on skills they want to practice, and not have to worry how we're paying for it. Once you have a kid in college, it becomes very expensive, even if you have scholarships or grants. Now with this expense being gone, I feel I can ask my kids, "What do you want to be?" A doctor, a lawyer – those now become possibilities, and we're going to be able to put you wherever you want to be.
Why did you choose a life a service in the military?
I grew up around the military. My dad did 30 years in the Air Force. I was used to the lifestyle. And when you're used to that lifestyle, when you're not around it, you miss it. I didn't want to choose the Air Force, because that was my dad's. I wanted to earn whatever I got myself. The Army didn't have any ties to my dad's career. It stands on its own.
It gives you a community, a lot of close friends.
