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Gary Sinise Foundation gives U.S. Army CW5 Gary Linfoot Specially Adapted Smart Home

Gary Sinise FoundationAdams, TN – Members of the Gary Sinise Foundation were in town this week to present a specially adapted smart home to United States Army CW5 Gary Linfoot (Ret.), a pilot in the Army’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (SOAR(A)).

Linfoot was injured on May 31st, 2008 while conducting operations in Iraq, when his helicopter suffered catastrophic mechanical failure. Linfoot was severely injured in the crash-landing, Medics evacuated him to Germany for spine stabilization surgery. His treatment then took him to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the Tampa VA Hospital, and finally the Shepherd Center in Georgia.

The Gary Sinise Foundation presented a specially adapted smart home to US Army CW5 Gary Linfoot (Ret.) and his wife Mari, in a ceremony Friday, May 10th, 2019.
The Gary Sinise Foundation presented a specially adapted smart home to US Army CW5 Gary Linfoot (Ret.) and his wife Mari, in a ceremony Friday, May 10th, 2019.

After three months of recovery, Linfoot returned home, now paralyzed from the waist down. He made national headlines when he was able to walk his oldest daughter Allyssa down the aisle on her wedding day in 2016, while wearing an exoskeleton suit.

Gary and his wife Mari have raised three children, and with limitless positivity and a motto of ‘never quit’, together they have overcome every obstacle.

Friday, in the scenic countryside near Port Royal, a large tent was overflowing with nearly 200 guests who came out to honor this local hero at a dedication ceremony for Gary and Mari Linfoot’s new home.

The Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. Program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) along with its donors, and numerous national and local partners, presented Linfoot with the smart home control pad to his new state-of-the-art home.

Gary Sinise was unable to attend the event. US Army General Vincent K. Brooks (Ret.) from the foundation’s Board of Directors spoke, and delivered a personal message to the Linfoots from Sinise.

“You are an inspiration my friend. What an incredible journey you have had. Seeing the video of you walking your daughter down the aisle in the amazing exoskeleton brought tears to my eyes.

“I am thrilled that you are finally here today, about to begin this brand-new chapter in your life. … I will look forward to a time n the future when I can come visit, take a tour of your new home, and personally thank you, Mari and your three children, Allyssa, Kylie and Hayden, once again for all you have sacrificed on behalf of this nation.

“ … On behalf of everyone at the Gary Sinise Foundation, welcome home Linfoot family. Enjoy this wonderful day. May God bless you always, and may God Bless the United States of America you have so faithfully served.

“Army Strong! Your ‘Grateful American’ pal, Gary Sinise”

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About the Gary Sinise Foundation

The Gary Sinise Foundation honors America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. Through its R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment), specially adapted smart homes are being constructed for severely wounded veterans and first responders nationwide. Each one-of-a-kind home is customized to ease the everyday burdens of a wounded hero, their family, and caregivers.

Other programs include Relief & Resiliency Outreach, Invincible Spirit Festivals, Gary Sinise &the Lt. Dan Band, Arts & Entertainment Outreach, Serving Heroes, First Responders Outreach, and Soaring Valor. Its latest program, Snowball Express, serves the children of our fallen military heroes, surviving spouses, and Gold Star families.

For more information, please visit GarySiniseFoundation.org

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