ELK GROVE VILLAGE, ILL. (AP) -- A U.S. Navy veteran who competes as a wheelchair athlete has been named the June veteran of the month in Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs has given the honor to 35-year-old Darwin Coligado of Elk Grove Village in suburban Chicago.
Coligado served in the active duty Navy for nine years and in the Navy reserve for four years.
He was a photographer, navigator, communications officer and mission commander.
After his military service Coligado lost use of his legs in a motorcycle accident.
He then became interested in wheelchair sports and has participated in national competitions and the Chicago Marathon.
Coligado is a peer mentor for the Great Lake Adaptive Sports Association and a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
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