United States Army Sergeant James Ford always knew he was going to join the Army – he just did not know when. After spending two years on a wildland fire crew in Oregon after high school, his time to enlist came in 2003.
“My decision at that time was based on what the country was going through and wanting to be alongside my friends that joined the service,” Ford said. “What greater purpose is there than to lay down your own life for someone else?”
However, Ford said his military career was cut shorter than he intended after he lost his right leg, below the knee, in Afghanistan in an enemy attack. The injury forced him to medically retire from the Army in 2009.
“When I joined the military, I knew I could get shot or I could die, but it never crossed my mind that I could also lose a limb,” Ford, who has navigated more than 40 surgeries, said through a soft chuckle. “But I learned very quickly that I have integrity, and I’m extremely resilient. Those are character values that I really appreciate, because if it wasn’t for the Army and going through everything, I would have never learned I carried that character value.”
In August of 2022, Ford was granted a new, mortgage-free home in Hockley, Texas provided through Operation Homefront’s Permanent Homes for Veterans program and the generosity of Pulte Group’s Built to Honor initiative.
“The most important things in life to me are to be happy and never quit,” Ford said. “It’s okay to fail every now and then. Sometimes your goals might change, or you have to take a different approach to whatever is putting you on the struggle bus.”
Ford has followed his own advice, recently earning a master’s degree in Conservation Biology from Texas A&M University and is about to start a master’s degree in Social Work at Baylor University.
“I have had several people tell me that at heart I am a social worker,” Ford said. “The more I thought about it, I discovered that it would not be a bad career field to get into. It is a passion of mine to take care of other veterans. When you have been at your darkest moments and pulled out of it, it’s a gift to share with other people that are struggling with their own darkest moments that don’t know how to get out of it.”
Ford, a father to 12-year-old Jade and 11-year-old Oliver, said he has not played soccer since he was a boy growing up in California. However, he is looking forward to taking in Sunday’s match.
“Honestly, I’m just honored that I get to be there and be a part of it,” Ford said. “I’m also honored that some of my most important friendships and relationships in life at the current moment get to be a part of it as well, and I get to share an experience with them.”
The Houston Dynamo are proud to honor U.S. Army Sergeant James Ford as the Hero of the Match during Sunday’s matchup versus the Portland Timbers at Shell Energy Stadium.
