St. Louis, Mo.—The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has provided flooring for its 45th home in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment). The R.I.S.E. program builds custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders.
The home dedication for United States Army Staff Sergeant Casey Jones took place on June 18, in Knoxville, Tenn. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Mullican Flooring, through its distributor, Derr Flooring.
SSG Jones joined the Army in 2008 as a senior explosive ordinance disposal team member. He was injured in May 2013 while deployed in Senjaray, Afghanistan. While working to help clear a compound that would serve as the location for a command post, he stepped on a pressure-plate improvised explosive device (IED), which detonated beneath him, causing him to lose both legs.
“Staff Sergeant Jones has had quite a distinguished military career,” said NWFA president and CEO, Michael Martin. “He has earned a Purple Heart, two Army Commendation medals and NCO development Award, two good Conduct Medals and the Afghanistan Campaign medal. We’re honored to partner with Mullican and Derr to provide flooring for his new home.”
In addition to the 45 homes already completed, NWFA said it is currently working with its members to source wood flooring for 17 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 139 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics and installation services in locations throughout the United States, with a total value of more than $4.56 million.