He might just look like Santa

But instead of a life supervising elves, he has kept connected to the military community since he was drafted, most recently adding Veteran athlete to his list of accomplishments.

Shortly after graduating from Mounds View High School in New Brighton, he reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. on June 8, 1965, for Army basic training. He ended up in Germany alongside three of his high school friends. The group made a pact, if one of them went to Vietnam, they’d all go.

The first of the Mounds View graduates to put boots on the ground in Vietnam was killed 45 days after arriving.  Mauricio was at home on leave when he learned of his death, as he ran into another of the group, Ralph, who said he was being sent over. After leave, Mauricio went back to Germany and requested a transfer to Vietnam. He ended up spending 14 months in Vietnam as an ammunition specialist. The final of the four soldiers went over to Vietnam after Mauricio. Today Mauricio is the only one left, the other two who made it home from Vietnam have died of agent orange. 

When he got out of the service, he had nine jobs in the first year. His brand-new wife said he needed to keep a job. Finally, he settled into a position in the printing industry, where he remained until he retired at age 58. 

Over the last twenty years he has kept busy with his family and the VFW, where he served as VFW State Commander of Minnesota from 2016 – 2017. Mauricio has been married 54 years and their family has grown and grown.  “I’ve got so many grandkids,” he said. “Four great-grand daughters and 15 grand kids.” 

As Mauricio got older, he began to have medical issues. “If I don't get up and start trying to walk, I’d be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life,” he said his doctors told him.  “There ain’t no way in hell I’d be in a wheelchair.”

Then came his first experience with National Veterans Wheelchair Games. “This changed my whole mind,” Mauricio said over coffee at a bowling alley in New Orleans during the Games in 2024. “Had I not gotten involved in this stuff at the time I did get involved, I probably wouldn’t be here right now. I was ready to give up.” 

In the 2024 Games, at age 78, Mauricio participated in boccia, archery, air rifle, nine ball and swimming, where he took gold in the 100 freestyle. In July 2025, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be in his home state. 

While he spreads cheer under the cover of his Santa beard this season, it’s not visions of sugar plums dancing through Mauricio’s head. He’s looking forward to connecting with his fellow Wheelchair Games athletes in July.  

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games, co-presented annually by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America,will be held in Minneapolis July 17-22, 2025. Learn how you can be a volunteer or register to be an athlete by visiting wheelchairgames.org. To see pictures from the 2024 Games, visit 2024 National Veterans Wheelchair Games | Flickr.