SPC Kyle Burleson - Springhill, LA
View the Photo Album of SPC. Kyle Burleson's Home Building Project
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Photos by Sarah Moore and HFOT Staff Photographers |
Kyles's Story: SPC Russell Kyle Burleson of the 1st Cavalry Division was critically wounded in a firefight, Sadr City, Iraq, August 18, 2004 while serving as a top gunner on a HMMWV. SPC Kyle Burleson and his wife Kristy, their two young children and Kyle's mother lived in a small 900 square foot home in northern Louisiana home that Kyle’s great grandparents built 120 years ago. Kyle answered the call to duty by his nation and joined the Army. While serving in Iraq Kyle was shot in his left cheek by a sniper and the bullet exited the back of his neck, leaving him to return to his home a quadriplegic. |
His experience as told by Kyle - "On the 18th of August 2004, while on patrol, we were engaged in a firefight by insurgents. I was the top gunner on a Hum-Vee and was hit by enemy fire in my left cheek and the round exited out the right side of my neck. The fragments of the round and bone splinters damaged my spinal cord, leaving me paralyzed from my neck down (much like Christopher Reeve’s paralysis). I remained in Baghdad for a few days, while they stabilized my condition, then I was air-evacuated to the Army Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. After a period of time in Germany, I was flown to Washington, D.C. and admitted to Walter Reed Medical Center for numerous operations.”
Kyle had to spend his days confined to one of the tiny rooms in the very old home. This room was not designed for the 14 electrical outlets it takes to keep him alive. The house whose halls he had once played in, made it nearly impossible for him to move through.
Though Kyle could not move freely through this house anymore his daughter Allison can. She and her brother Alexander could not fully understand why daddy can not play with them. Kristy, Kyle’s wife, fully comprehends the ramifications. She not only takes care of both children, she is also the caregiver to her husband. Dedication and sacrifice can not fully define what Specialist Burleson gave his country.
Now, because of your efforts and the efforts of grateful supporters of our military members, the Burleson's have moved into a brand new handicap accessible home large enough for Kyle to move freely from one room to another and be a part of the family again.
Homes for Our Troops made sure Kristy would have all the necessary tools to help Kyle in his day-to-day activities by installing a rail system throughout the home where she can easily lift him out of bed and move him to the bathroom or other rooms in the house.
We have added automatic door openers that Kyle can work himself by blowing into his tube to open the door and since the home is in a hurricane-prone location, we have added Simonton StormBreaker Plus windows that will resist serious storm conditions and a generator room to back up Kyles electrical needs if the power goes out among many other modifications to make their life easier.
Because generous donors from all around this great country, Kyle and his family can enjoy life together again, and for that you should be very proud.
Fill out our in-kind donation form to donate materials or services or volunteer labor to help on a local home project in your area!
Or contact our Director of Projects and Veterans Affairs, Kirt Rebello.
Phone: 866-7-TROOPS
To make a monetary donation, please go to our donation page to view our giving opportunities.
| Windows and Patio Doors | Simonton Windows |
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| Interior Acrylic Block | Hy-Lite Products |
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| Interior Trim | Fypon, Inc. |
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| General Contractor | Bob Simpson Simpson Custom Homes Benton, LA 318-965-0025
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| Material / Donation Coordinator | Lt. Wayne Newton Shiela Newton
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| Architectural Design | John Hall Dallas, TX
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| Engineering and Design | Don Thurmon Gordon Russell
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| Project Chairman | Ken Koval VFW, District 12
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| Furniture | Willow Point Dining Room Set Vineyard Furniture |
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| Concrete | Builders Supply Company of Shreveport Shreveport, LA 318-222-5721
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| Concrete Reinforcements | PPT Inc Shreveport, LA 318-631-6191
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| Insulated Concrete Forms | Eco Block |  |
| Home Design and Building Prints | Phillips Custom Home Designs Shreveport, LA 318-820-2725
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| Countertops | Total Countertop Solutions Alexandria, LA 318-442-8005
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| Insulation | Builders Supply Company of Shreveport Shreveport, LA 318-222-5721
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| Roofing | ABC Supply Co Inc Shreveport, LA 71109 318-635-0372
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| Paint | Devoe Paint Northside Paint Center Lafayette, LA
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| Fundraising | Janet Brady Roseanne Swacker
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http://www.adoptasoldiernow.org/
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| Project Assistance | VFW Post #5951 Bossier City, LA
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