Last year, through HOPE’s Warriors Wish program, Andres Rosario’s wish for a paramotor trike, glider wing, and safety gear was granted. This allowed him to pursue his newfound love of powered paragliding and introduce other veterans to the therapeutic experience he had discovered.
Andres’ dream of becoming a pilot and parachuting from a plane began in childhood, leading him to join the Army in 1995. However, after 27 years of service, including several tours in Iraq and Kuwait, Andres retired without fulfilling these dreams. Reflecting on his military career, he expressed no regrets, acknowledging that life often takes unexpected turns.
Shortly after retiring, Andres experienced a tandem skydiving jump, which he described as a “game-changer.” The serenity he found in skydiving led him to search for a more sustainable way to capture that euphoric feeling, ultimately discovering powered paragliding. This discovery fulfilled his dream of becoming a pilot and sparked a new goal: sharing the therapeutic benefits of flight with fellow veterans.
Andres, who battles PTSD, has a long history of giving back. He spent two years volunteering with wounded veterans, providing them and their families with kayak fishing excursions. In 2022, Andres and other volunteers helped a Vietnam veteran return to his hurricane-damaged home after three months in a hotel. His dedication to supporting his fellow veterans continued when he competed in a triathlon while pushing Cory, a fellow retired U.S. Army Ranger with limited mobility. “This was a very emotional event,” Andres said. “He enjoyed every minute of the triathlon, and the honor was mine to fulfill one of his dreams.”
Andres is refreshing his powered paragliding skills and taking additional training to offer instructional flights to other veterans through his nonprofit, Team BLUFOR. With the mission of getting veterans off the couch and the motto “Crushing Limitations,” Andres aims to reward veterans with instructional flights after they meet their fitness goals.
“HOPE’s generosity and support will allow me to continue to pay it forward and help others suffering from PTSD or other disabilities find peace and serenity as I have with this sport. This wish will be a multiplier. For years to come, I will be able to help countless veterans find peace, healing, and relief from their pains.”
During a visit in January, shortly after his Warrior’s Wish was granted, Andres explained the healing power of flight. “Depression, anxiety. Heck, there are times when my knee or back bothers me. I go on a flight and come back, and the pain is gone. I can’t explain it. It just is.”
Despite being grounded by the winds that day, he delighted in giving a friend’s three-year-old child a ride, a moment he described as priceless. Sharing his gift of flight with others has always been his long-term goal. “Because it helped me so much, and it continues to help me so much, I have to spread it. You can’t find something good that helps you and keep it for yourself. You have to share it.”
In June, Andres’ dream took flight when he Cory on a 30-minute paramotor ride. “There are no words that could describe the feeling of taking somebody to the sky and enjoying the freedom and serenity of being up there. He loved it. It was amazing.”
Fueled by his passion for flight and commitment to helping fellow veterans, Andres’ journey exemplifies the transformative power of pursuing one’s dreams and paying it forward. His spirit is just one of the many reasons he was named Team HOPE’s Athlete of the Month for August. Jenna McDonald, HOPE’s Director of Physical Wellness, Sports & Recreation, said it best. “Andres always thinks about others, and his drive to ensure that other veterans know they are not alone is one of the things that makes him so special,” she said. “Andres also understands how important physical wellness is to your overall well-being. He understands that it is all connected — mind, body, and spirit. He also does such a good job showcasing this and will always invite you along for an adventure he is going on next. He is a great ambassador of HOPE, a real team player, and a valued member of Team HOPE.”
Through the support of Hope For The Warriors and his own determination, Andres continues to inspire and uplift those around him, soaring high above the challenges life has presented.
Since 2006, Hope For The Warriors has provided over $2.5 million in grants through its Warrior’s Wish program, assisting with 271 wishes.
For more information on Hope For The Warriors and Warrior’s Wish program, visit hopeforthewarriors.org, Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn.
