Kenneth O. Klumb

It's finally here! Today, the Gary Sinise Foundation dedicates our 100th mortgage-free, specially adapted smart home to U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Joe Bowser. This is a huge milestone and we could not have done it without the support of the American people. 🇺🇸 After enlisting in the Army and later rejoining the service following 9/11, Joe was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. One night, a 122mm rocket exploded behind him, critically injuring his leg. Despite 14 surgeries, Joe ultimately chose amputation over a lifetime of pain - a decision that marked the beginning of a new chapter defined by resilience and purpose. Even after his injury, Joe continued to serve, advising the Secretary of the Army on wounded veteran issues and advocating for his fellow soldiers. His courage, perseverance, and continued service embody the very mission that guides our work. "The generosity of everybody, the Foundation and the donors, to bless us with all this is just overwhelming. It makes you speechless," said Joe. Today, we celebrate not only Joe’s new home, but also a milestone: 100 homes built for our nation’s most severely wounded heroes. Welcome home, Joe, and here's to 100 more homes for America's defenders. 💙 A special thank you to the American people and our amazing partners, without whom this would not be possible: @SunbeltRentals, @homedepotfound, and LP Building Solutions. We also want to thank the following partners for dedicating their time, energy, generosity, and resources to the construction of Joe's home: The Marcus Foundation, Shubert Design Furniture, Owens Corning, Amazon, Huber Engineered Woods, USLBM. SRZ, Nucor, NICE, Duke Cannon Supply Co., Scripps Family Impact Fund, Caminentworks Group, Installed Building Products, Winston & Strain, NSI, NWFA, Providence Builders, BEHR, Brian-NuTone, Builder’s FirstSource, Daltile, Encore Wire, Ferguson, MAPEI, North American Moving Services, Nucor rebar Fabrication, Rheem, and Simple Green.