Wounded warriors often return to homes that are ill-suited for their new needs, making the transition to their beloved homes even more difficult than otherwise. Retired United States Marine Corps Cpl. Garrett Jones, inspired by 9/11 to serve in the Marines, is currently living in a three-level home that, as an amputee, no longer fits the bill.
That’s why The Gary Sinise Foundation and other concerned groups stepped in to build him a “smart home.”
On Wednesday, during a community empowerment day called “Walls of Honor,” fellow vets, family, friends, and the Stafford, Virginia, community where the home is located gathered to write messages of love, inspiration, and gratitude right on the beams of the family’s new, adapted home.
“I tried to hide it, but it was very emotional for me,” Jones, 31, told LifeZette. “The foundation and a conglomeration of nonprofits and organizations have been helping my wife Allison and me for several years, and to see this come to fruition was really humbling. The symbolic nature of the event — people who have invested in us for years leaving well-wishes on the walls, which will be sealed in the house forever — was very moving.”
Chris Kuban, a spokesperson for The Gary Sinise Foundation, says it is an honor to make this magic happen for veterans and their families.
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“It’s humbling and we’re honored to be a part of something so impressive that changes someone’s life who is severely injured,” he said. “The whole goal is to give back some independence to someone who fought for our country and lost so much. Family and friends, volunteers, donors, and sponsors all took the time to say ‘thank you.’ We can’t do this alone — it takes people to step up and say that they want to get involved.”
He added, “By the end of this year we will have 51 specially adapted smart houses that we will turn over to veterans, or are under construction. We hope to add more homes in 2017 and 2018. But we need donations in order to be able to do that.”
The smart house includes technology that will allow Jones to perform many actions via iPad within his home.
Jones enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2005 and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. On July 23, 2007, two weeks before he was scheduled to return home, he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED). His left leg needed to be amputated almost to the hip, he suffered several back fractures, he lost both eardrums — and he suffered a serious concussion.
Over the next 30 days, he endured 20 surgeries.
After recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, he was determined to re-enter the fight. He received approval from his commanders and doctor, and left once again for service with his fellow Marines in April 2008.
While serving as an intelligence analyst and hospital liaison, he thought about officially re-enlisting, but the pain of his injuries and the loss of fellow Marines — some his best friends — led him to retire.
But the home he returned to was not well-suited to his “new normal” as an amputee. Flights of stairs were dangerous, shelves were too high, and bathrooms were tough to maneuver.
The Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) stepped in, along with other donors and veteran-support groups.
Jones and his wife, Allison, 31, have three small children, ages 5, 2, and 1.
“The house is absolutely incredible — talk about empowering,” said Jones. “We moved here from Oregon for my career. We have lived in many houses, but this will be our first home. Allison is thrilled — she sees my struggle trying to get up the stairs, and she knows I will be in a home soon where I can take care of my family without undue stress or risk.”
Jones looks confidently to the future while paying tribute to his past. He received a master’s degree in July, and works as a civilian consultant for the Marines.
“I feel fortunate to be alive,” he said. “I had 28 Marines killed over the course of my deployment — including some of my closest friends. I do my best to honor them with my life — which was spared.”
The Gary Sinise Foundation can be found on the web at garysinisefoundation.org.
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