A Former Navy SEAL Speaks Out

He may be confined to a wheelchair, but Coronado’s Al Kovach stands tall in support of disabled veterans.

Jun 02, 2025

Navy SEAL Veteran Al Kovach, Coronado, CA. May 20, 2025

I met Al Kovach in 1998, a few years after moving to Coronado from Hong Kong, where I was posted as the NBC Nightly News foreign correspondent for Asia. I was in a body brace following a failed surgery on a broken back.

That paled compared to what Al had suffered and had to cope with for the rest of his life… and he was handling it so much better.

In 1991, Al Kovach was a member of Coronado-based SEAL Team 5 when he was paralyzed following a parachuting accident after jumping from the back of a C-130 during a combat training exercise. He was just 26 years old.

From that moment on, his whole life was turned upside down… but his tremendous inner strength prevailed.

Despite being permanently confined to a wheelchair, Al built a new life as a national advocate for veterans’ healthcare benefits and the safeguarding of the Department of Veterans Affairs, which he credits with saving his life.

The VA is the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system. It’s also been at the forefront of treating spinal cord injuries since World War II. Before the war, a servicemember suffering such an injury lived for a few days at best. Today, with the support of the VA, they are able to live full lives.

The VA is now in crisis amid canceled contracts, hiring freezes, resignations, and layoffs imposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

More than six million veterans and their families receive essential support from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including medical care, education programs, and pensions to support them and their families.

On June 6, the 81st anniversary of D-Day, thousands of veterans, military families, and their allies plan to rally in support of veterans’ rights on the National Mall in Washington, DC, and in state capitols across the country.

Veterans, family members, and their supporters also plan to rally in Coronado on June 6 to defend veterans' benefits and pay tribute to their sacrifices.

The gathering begins at Spreckels Park at 2 pm. My friend Al Kovach plans to be among those attending. Please join us, stand up for veterans, and let your voice be heard.