State: Elk Grove vet has 'heart and spirit of a champion'

A Navy veteran from Elk Grove Village was named "Veteran of the Month" Friday by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Darwin Coligado, 35, received the honor during a ceremony held at Elk Grove's village hall, which drew state and local officials, as well as members of VFW Post 9284 in Elk Grove, who provided a color guard.

"Darwin has the heart and spirit of a champion," said Sergio Estrada, assistant director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. "He has been an inspiration to fellow veterans, other wheelchair athletes and the community as a whole."

As a Naval reservist, Coligado served nine years active duty, including in Kuwait during Operation Enduring Freedom. Among the many awards he received was the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

However, after an honorable discharge, Coligado suffered a spinal injury in a motorcycle accident two years ago that left him wheelchair bound.

"I was in a serious funk," Coligado said, of the accident, and then losing his father and girlfriend, all within three months. "I could either feel sorry for myself or keep on moving."

During his rehabilitation at the VA Hospital, Coligado learned about the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association, based in Lake Forest, whose motto is to "let no one sit on the sidelines."

As a former cross country runner and soccer player at Holy Cross High School in Chicago before attending Marquette University on a ROTC scholarship, Coligado missed participating in sports and working out.

"We taught him how to use a race chair, and he immediately set goals for himself, like doing a 5K, then a 10K, a half marathon and even a marathon," said Keri Schindler, program director for GLASA.

Now a championship wheelchair athlete, Coligado has competed in the National Junior Disability Championships, the National Veteran Wheelchair Games and the Chicago Marathon. His next goal, he says is to compete in a sprint-distance triathlon.

His resolve and positive attitude have impacted the other adults and children who participate in GLASA programs, Schindler said.

"He's a huge inspiration to our other participants, including the kids as well as other veterans," Schindler added.

Coligado downplayed his accomplishments and instead wanted to commend the VFW members and World War II veterans who attended his ceremony.

As they each approached Coligado to thank him for his service to the country, he responded: "I'd do it again in a heartbeat, brother."