The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has provided flooring for its 88th home in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment). The R.I.S.E. program builds mortgage-free, custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders. The home dedication for U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant (E-5) James “Eddie” Wright took place in Montgomery, Texas. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Mullican Hardwood Flooring.
Sergeant Wright was inspired to join the Marines by the military service of his father, who served in the Air Force, and his grandfather, who served in the Army during WWII. He served two deployments in Okinawa and the Middle East. After joining the elite 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, he was deployed to Fallujah in Iraq. While on patrol in 2004, he was riding in the lead vehicle of his convoy when insurgents ambushed his unit. During the ensuing firefight, a rocket propelled grenade struck his rifle. It exploded on impact, instantly severing his right arm below the wrist and his left arm below the elbow.
“I’m told that even while tourniquets were being applied to slow his bleeding, Sergeant Wright still managed to calmly direct other Marines to safety,” says Stephanie Owen, president and CEO of NWFA. “He received 40 pints of blood over the course of his medical evacuation to the U.S., and 40 more to save his life. His rehabilitation has been long and grueling, but he has never lost his positive attitude. We’re honored to partner with Mullican to provide beautiful real wood floors for his new home.”
In addition to the 88 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 17 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 163 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics, and installation services in locations throughout the United States, with a total value of more than $7 million. A list of all NWFA R.I.S.E. participating companies can be found at http://www.nwfa.org/giving-back.aspx.
To learn more about the program, and how you and/or your company can get involved, contact the NWFA at 800.422.4556, or e-mail them at anita.howard@nwfa.org.