Oct 28 2009
Homes for Our Troops and the Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation will host a three-day Build Brigade beginning today October 30 through November 1 to provide Army SPC David (Alex) Knapp with a brand new specially adapted barrier free home. The Build Brigade will take place at 15625 Downing Street in Macomb Township, Michigan.
Larry Gill, Homes for Our Troops Veterans Liaison, along with local General Contractor Sam Palazzolo from Palazzolo Brothers Custom Homes will raise the first wall at 8:30AM on Friday, October 30.
Throughout the Build Brigade, professional tradespeople will volunteer their time, skills and materials to frame the home, install doors, windows, a roof and siding to make it air-tight to the weather.
Army SPC David (Alex) Knapp was on his final mission in Iraq before going on leave when he lost both legs in an IED explosion on March 14, 2008. His convoy was hit with an IED injuring soldiers and trapping SPC Knapp in the vehicle. After being removed from the truck by his squad, Alex was triaged for medevac and tried to refuse treatment when he learned his team leader was also severely injured.
After arriving at the Casualty Extraction Point, he fell unconscious and awoke nine days later to find himself at Walter Reed, not knowing he had arrived there via Landstuhl, Germany. Alex remains at Walter Reed, as he receives therapy and treatments that will allow him to improve his mobility.
Alex hopes to eventually work in Counter-Terrorism. He enjoys mono-skiing, sled hockey and wheelchair basketball and looks forward to transitioning to civilian life and one day starting a family.
(See: http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer?pagename=DavidKnapp).
"The mission of Homes for Our Troops is to provide severely injured veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country with specially adapted homes. A barrier free home will enable Alex to be more independent so he can pursue his dreams for the sacrifice he made on behalf of our country," said John Gonsalves, President and Founder of Homes for Our Troops. "Build Brigades are a great way for everyone in the community to show their support for these brave American heroes."
"The Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation is committed to giving back in the communities we serve," said Stephan Shelton, Dunkin' Donuts franchisee and Co-Chair of the Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation. "We are proud to partner with Homes for Our Troops to help provide SPC Alex Knapp with a barrier free home adapted to meet his specific needs. He is a true American hero."
Source: http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer