Out on the rolling plains east of Colorado Springs, no amount of gray skies can dim Israel "DT" Del Toro, Jr.'s spark.

"You ready?" he says as he revs up his side-by-side ATV before cruising across his 35-acre ranch.

Israel "DT" Del Toro, Jr. and his family Israel Del Toro, Jr.

Classic rock hums from the speakers, and a big smile stretches across his face. Being home and on his land is where the retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant says he's most at peace.

"That's me... just simple me... that's, I guess, the behind-the-scenes of Israel Del Toro most people may not see," he said.

What most people do see are Del Toro's scars -- signs of a war survived, and a promise never broken.

"And it all really goes back to the promise to my dad... to take care of your family," Del Toro said.

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