A reality TV show and two non-profit veterans organizations joined together this week to provide a wounded veteran with facial plastic surgery.
Tim Juliano, of North Tonawanda, New York, was serving in a 914th Air Force Reserve unit when a rocket exploded within 10 feet of his position. Juliano suffered substantial injuries to his face, resulting in disfigurement and scarring. Through a volunteer coalition of plastic surgeons who are associated with Iraq Star, Juliano was connected with a plastic surgeon from Manhattan.
Dr. Charles K. Herman volunteered his expertise and reconstructed Juliano’s face during a 3-hour operation that took place in a donated facility in Pennsylvania. Juliano will be flown home to New York by a pilot volunteering his service through Angel Flight NE.
Tim Juliano’s surgical experience with Iraq Star was documented by a popular TLC reality show, American Chopper. The show follows a motorcycle business owned by Paul Teutul Sr. based in Orange County, California. Teutal is donating a $40,000 motorcycle that will be auctioned off next month, with proceeds going to Iraq Star.