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Gary Sinise Foundation Helps Build Smart Home for Wounded Iraq War Veteran
By Movieguide® Staff
Actor Gary Sinise and the Gary Sinise Foundation recently provided retired Army Capt. Juan Guerrero and his family have a smart home, mortgage-free, outside of San Antonio, Texas.
The Gary Sinise Foundation, which seeks to aid veterans, first-responders, and their families, supplies wounded veterans with specialized homes that accommodate injuries sustained while serving in the military.
Through Sinise’s foundation, the award-winning actor works with veterans and their families to build custom homes that serve their specific needs.
“It’s definitely overwhelming,” Guerrero said. “Every single room is accessible for me in a wheelchair.”
While overseas in Iraq, Guerrero was critically wounded by a roadside bomb and, as a result, lost both of his legs.
The Army Times reported:
He was on the way back from a mission in 2007 when his vehicle was struck by an explosively formed penetrator, believed to be one of the most lethal weapons faced by U.S. troops in Iraq.
The explosion left Guerrero with severe injuries to both legs, and during recovery, he was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer because of his injuries.
Guerrero is now a double amputee. But until he moved into his new home, he was living in a house that was not designed for someone with his injuries.
Some of the specialized areas included in the new home are a custom kitchen sink, pull-down racks in the cabinets, and pull-down bars in the closet.
“I like to joke that I haven’t had a shower in 11 years,” Guerrero said, referencing the shower. “It’s going to be amazing.”
Juan shares four children with his wife, Shannon.
According to Army Times, Shannon worked closely with the Gary Sinise Foundations on the design of the home.
“To see my husband finally able to live free in our own home, its truly incredible,” Shannon said.
Movieguide® also reported on veteran Air Force Sgt. Matthew Slaydon’s smart home:
Actor Gary Sinise (I STILL BELIEVE), just used his foundation to assist veteran Air Force Sgt. Matthew Slaydon.
Slaydon suffered life-altering injuries during his Iraq tour in 2007. Slaydon, an explosive ordinance tech, probed for a bomb that exploded, rendering him blind and severing his left arm.
“Please meet US Air Force EOD Tech Sgt Matthew Slaydon and hear his story of surviving a blast in Iraq in 2007,” Sinise posted to Twitter. “Matthew and his wife Annette are amazing people and it was an honor to support them through Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program.”
Sinise, known for his roles in FORREST GUMP and I STILL BELIEVE, is passionate about honoring servicemen and servicewomen.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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