At the 16th Annual Hope For The Warriors Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament, veterans, celebrities, supporters, and families gathered at the stunning River Landing in Wallace, NC, to celebrate resilience, camaraderie, and the unwavering mission of Hope For The Warriors.
In the heart of San Antonio, Texas, William “Gonzo” Gonzalez moves with purpose. Armed with brochures and business cards, he approaches fellow veterans with a simple question: “How can I help?” As a HOPE Ambassador, William exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond. He strives to help, to make a difference because he knows firsthand how difficult it can be to say, “I need help.” He’s been there.
William’s military career began as a combat engineer, serving as a 12 Charlie (bridge crewmember) and training as a 12 Bravo (combat engineer) as well. His seven years of service included missions supporting Rangers and Special Forces as a boat operator. Along the way, he trained at Fort Benning, earning certifications from Airborne School, Sapper School, and Pathfinder School.
But his service ended abruptly in 2015, when his vehicle struck an IED during a deployment to Afghanistan. The blast caused physical injuries and PTSD that eventually led to his medical retirement in 2016. “I was in a very dark spot,” William recalls. “I was angry, like the Army used me and then let me go like a piece of trash.”
It was during a routine visit to the VA that William first encountered Hope For The Warriors. A simple flyer caught his eye. One phone call later, he was enrolled in HOPE’s Resilience Program, marking the beginning of his healing journey, and his connection with HOPE’s Military Relations Director, Lee Bonar. “Lee would call me once in a while to check in, and I started looking for events HOPE had online,” William says. “Participating in those events really helped straighten out my head and my thoughts.”
Determined to continue his recovery, William completed the Wounded Warrior Care Program at Emory Clinic, an intensive 30-day treatment focused on managing severe PTSD. It was there he learned crucial coping strategies. “I realized I’m not in combat anymore. I don’t have to go into combat mode. I’m home. My mind is tricking me,” he shares.
In April 2022, William accepted an invitation from Lee to become an Ambassador for HOPE’s Military Relations program. Since then, he has been a tireless advocate for veterans and servicemembers throughout San Antonio, working with Air Force programs, military units, and at community events. “I became like a social worker or a missionary,” William says of his role.
Lee nominated William as HOPE’s Volunteer of the Month, praising his dedication to HOPE. “Gonzo stands out for his outreach in the community and his natural ability to connect with veterans and service members. He’s a leader, with a genuineness that resonates with every audience he meets,” Lee says.
Driven by a personal mission to help at least one veteran every week, William distributes information about HOPE’s programs, connects fellow veterans with local resources, and offers mentorship grounded in his own experiences. “It gives me a purpose again, like when I was active duty,” he says. “I’m still in the fight, doing something that matters.”
Since signing up on the HOPE Volunteer Hub in January 2023, William has dedicated an incredible 644 volunteer hours to supporting service members, veterans, and military families. In 2024 alone, he contributed 264 hours, earning him the Silver President’s Volunteer Service Award through Points of Light. This national honor recognizes individuals who make a significant impact through volunteer service, and the Silver Award is presented to those who complete 250 to 499 hours of service in a single calendar year! William’s dedication to HOPE and our mission is a shining example of what it means to serve others selflessly and consistently.
Outside his volunteer work, William is deeply devoted to his family, balancing the joys and challenges of raising a teenager and a toddler alongside his wife. His healing journey has strengthened these relationships and helped him build a new foundation for the future. “After treatment, I bought my own house, started going back to school, and most importantly, started treating my family better,” William shares.
Today, William continues finding new ways to spread HOPE’s message, leaving brochures at libraries, connecting with servicemembers at job fairs, and ensuring that anyone nearing separation from service knows that help is available. “I’m very grateful that you guys created HOPE,” William says. “It has been a lifeline to help me be better.”
For William, being a HOPE Ambassador isn’t just about handing out flyers, it’s about continuing his service, forging new bonds, and carrying forward the mission to restore self, family, and hope. We are proud to honor him as our Volunteer of the Month.
Hope For The Warriors is dedicated to restoring self, family, and hope for post-9/11 veterans, servicemembers, and military families. To learn more about our programs or to become a volunteer like William, visit hopeforthewarriors.org.
