BELTSVILLE, MD - Sgt. Ryan Major of Silver Spring, MD is the first beneficiary of Heroes at Home. Major was critically injured while on patrol in Iraq.
Specialist Major, 22, suffered severe wounds resulting in the amputation of both legs, damage to both arms, internal injuries and a traumatic brain injury. The injuries occurred when an Improvised Explosion Device (IED) detonated near him while searching for suspected bomb makers on foot patrol with his unit in Ramadi.
With Ryan focused on recovery, his mom, Lorrie Knight-Major, was focused on bringing her soldier home. After the initial shock wore off, she started preparing to bring him home. She thought about the need for an elevator, but didn’t think it was realistic. Not knowing where to begin she took out the yellow pages. Some called back, most did not. As she was beginning to lose hope, she was told about Rebuilding together.
Rebuilding Together is the nation’s largest home rehabilitation organization with 245 national affiliates in 48 states.
The National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI) agreed to partner with Rebuilding Together for the Heroes at Home project in Montgomery County. Heroes at Home is a program Sears Holdings has created in partnership with Rebuilding Together in response to an urgent need to assist military families facing hardship, by providing necessary repairs or adaptations to homes. Under the direction of David Merrick of Merrick Design and Build Inc., volunteers began to plan.
Heroes at Home honored this hero by providing an elevator, converting a den into a bedroom, building a wheelchair accessible bathroom, landscaping and constructing a deck.
K.C. Company Inc. donated two Pella Thermastar Vinyl Double Hung windows to brighten the bedroom and one Architect Series Double French Door with permanent divided lites and brass hardware to allow easy access for Ryan. K.C. Company volunteers helped to install windows and doors as well.