The Bernardo Family

Fioreanante ‘Monte’ Bernardo II was born on April 2, 1982. Named after his father Fioreamante Bernardo I, he grew up in the Bay Area of California. In high school, Monte spent his summers learning the ins and outs of tile setting and plumbing. When his daughter Felicity Rose Bernardo was born in May of 2005, he switched his focus to becoming a journeyman plumber. In 2006, he made a huge decision to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Army. During his time in the Army, he received 4 Army Achievement Medals, 3 Army Commendation Medals, 2 Good Conduct Medals, a Purple Heart and a Combat Action Badge.

In 2012, Monte suffered severe injuries that cost him his left hand and both legs. Monte says he and his platoon were on a dismounted patrol when they came under fire from both sides. They took cover on a berm, where Monte instructed the team to return fire; he then placed himself between the enemy and his platoon to direct their fire away from his troops. The spot between the two men—where Monte placed himself—was on top of an IED.

Monte has been in hospitals spanning the globe from Kandahar to Afghanistan and Germany to Maryland. He generally is high in spirits and is extremely grateful for the development of prosthetics that allow him to be mobile and active.

Monte continues to uphold the Airborne standard by dedicating his every effort to not only his own rehabilitation but that of the wounded veterans around him. Airborne all the way, scouts out!