Marco Delarosa Talks Paralympic Shooting and the Olympic Dream

By Jacki Billings

Marco Delarosa takes aim at a target during competition. (Photo: USA Shooting)
Marco Delarosa is a marine veteran and Paralympian representing Team USA in 2016, but, more than that, he’s a hero. The Chicago-born Delarosa exemplifies the American spirit and the Olympic dream.
Delarosa’s story began in the Marine Corps, serving three and a half years in service. After he returned from a stint in Somalia in 1993, Delarosa headed off the Camp Pendleton base to a local video store. Unaware of the danger, Delarosa walked into an armed robbery. He said he reacted instinctively, going for the armed robber he saw, completely unaware that another robber lurked nearby.
Delarosa’s life changed in a matter of seconds as the obscured robber came into view and shot Delarosa in the back. The bullet penetrated his T4 and T5, paralyzing him. To this day, Delarosa carries the events of that day with him, literally — the bullet is still lodged in his spine, unable to be removed for fear of further paralysis.
What followed were dark times for the veteran Marine — PTSD, depression and divorce. Looking for a means to heal spiritually, Delarosa was introduced to the world of Olympic style shooting.
“The VA Hospital in San

Source: Guns.com