SSG Travis Strong


Golden, CO

SSG Strong, now 31, was in the middle of his second tour in Iraq when the Stryker armored combat vehicle he was patrolling in was hit by a roadside bomb called an explosively formed penetrator.

He lost both of his legs in that explosion and has undergone months of rehabilitation, recovery and therapy to learn how to use his new prosthetics. Travis has a loving wife Misty and two beautiful children Sean and Brianna who have gone on this long journey of recovery along with him.

Homes for Our Troops is proud to have presented this beautiful home to Travis and his family on August 27, 2008. A home that he can call his own and that will allow him to move freely and become more independent.

Building it Green!

For Travis Strong's home we installed a grid-tied 6.21 kW Photovoltaic system that will provide 80-90% of the electricity for the home because Colorado receives 300 days of sunlight per year. In addition there is a high-efficiency lighting system throughout the home.

The building envelope was insulated with R-value 6.8 per inch insulation (on 2x6 walls this provides an R-value of R37). This spray foam insulation not only acts as an outstanding insulator but also will provide an natural barrier for leakage.

The Strong Home will be heated with a geothermal heating system as the primary source of heat but we also installed radiant floor heating because Travis spends so much time on the floor. Our corporate sponsor Watts Radiant supplied that system.

Photo Gallery

Click here to visit Travis' personal photogallery

News and Updates

Injured Veterans Receive Keys to Specially Adapted Homes During National Conventions
Homes for our Troops has been working feverishly with volunteers to complete two "green' specially adapted barrier free homes for two seriously injured veterans in time for both the up coming Democratic and the Republican National conventions.

30th Homes for Our Troops Project Home Includes Simonton Windows
The 30th home completed in the "Homes for Our Troops" project features windows from Simonton. The house, built for Army Staff Sgt. Travis Strong and his family in Colorado, is one of the first green building homes constructed by Homes for Our Troops in conjunction with a new partnership with The Sierra Club Foundation.

Fine Living: A home for those who fought for ours
'WHEN YOU think of Independence Day, you think of American flags being proudly unfurled," Vicki Thomas of Homes for our Troops says. She's right - American flags, picnics, fireworks and the ability to live freely.

Roof raised for disabled veteran and his family
Hundreds of volunteers are helping Army Staff Sgt. Travis Strong and his wife and two children settle in Colorado after his rehabilitation from war wounds.

Home for injured soldier looking up
Skilled volunteers from all over the country came to the site to help with construction throughout the weekend.

Army of volunteers builds house for vet
A double amputee from the Iraq war and his family get a new home in a weekend.

Volunteers build home for disabled Iraq vet
On Friday, Strong caught a glimpse of his new living arrangements as four volunteers lifted him up in his wheelchair and into the wooden frame being erected for his new home in Golden.

'Our whole life will be easier'
Nonprofit, DNCC building home in Golden for wounded war vet and family

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION COMMITTEE, SUPPORTING GROUPS BREAK GROUND FOR WOUNDED IRAQ VET'S HOME
Credit Unions, National Journal, Convention officials & Homes for Our Troops hold ceremony launching project supporting wounded veterans

COLORADO CREDIT UNIONS, DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION TEAM UP TO BUILD HOME FOR WOUNDED VETERAN
ARVADA, CO. (February 21, 2008) A severely injured veteran will receive a new home specially outfitted for his needs as a disabled former service member as a result of a special partnership between Colorado's credit unions, the Democratic National Convention and a group dedicated to helping those wounded in service to our nation.

Videos

Iraq Vet Who Lost Legs Gets New Home
Thanks to the nonprofit group Homes for Our Troops, an injured Iraq veteran will have a brand new home free of charge

Video that was played at the Democratic National Convention

Video for the Republican National Convention

This Build Was Sponsored By:

Windows and Patio Doors
Simonton is providing Low E Argon Filled Energy Efficient Windows. Simonton Windows

Interior Acrylic Block
Hy-Lite Products

Interior Trim
Fypon, Inc.

Exterior Siding
Mastic Siding

Elevator
Dana Brigham
International Union of Elevator Constructors
7154 Columbia Gateway Dr
Columbia, MD 21046
410-953-6150 (Office)
410-953-6169 (Fax)
Applied Elevator Service & Sales
303-423-3538

Radiant Heat
Watts Radiant Heat

Luxury Toilet Seat
Toto USA

Project Support
Project is Proudly Supported by the Members of the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council

General Contractor
Rich Marshall
RAM Industrial Inc
POB 4335
Parker, CO 80134
Phone: 303-646-6434
Fax: 303-646-6182

Gas Fireplace and Installation
Rocky Mountain Stove
970 Simms St
Golden, CO 80401
303-420-9000

Real Estate Representative
Justin Carr
Resident Realty

Security & Time Lapse Camera
EarthCam

EarthCam Camera Cases
Hardigg Storm Case

Construction Signage
Sign*A*Rama DTC
7255 South Havana Street, Suite 180
Centennial,CO 80112

Appliances
Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products. Energy Star Appliances

Concrete
COMPLETED

Photovoltaic Solar Energy System
Provides a 6.2 kW photovoltaic system which should provide 80-90% of the home's energy. Golden Solar
614 10th St
Golden, CO 80401
tel: 303-955-6332
fax: 303-942-3559

Lighting
Lighting plan designed to maximize efficiency and minimize electricity usage. Mountainview Lighting Group
The Ranch Office Commons
2000 West 120th. Ave.
Bldg. #1 - Suite 12
Denver, Co. 80234
Main: 303-469-2934

Granite Countertop Fabrication & Installation
High Country Marble and Granite
1713 Park Street
Castle Rock, CO 80109
303-663-3682 Office
303-663-3684 Fax

Granite Countertops
Bedrosians Tile
14155 East 42nd Ave
Denver, CO 80239
303-722-2200 Office
303-722-2360 Fax
303-913-5240 Cell

Driveway Materials
COMPLETED

Exterior Doors
COMPLETED

Gutters & Downspouts
COMPLETED

Geothermal HVAC
Zero Combustion Geothermal Heat. Canam Geothermal and High Plains Geothermal

Insulation
R Value of 6.8 inch for a wall with an R Value of 37.4 Sheldon Lowder
Comfort Zone Insulation
Polar Insulite, Inc.
Lakewood, CO

Framing, Siding and Doors Installed
Carpenters' District Council of Kansas City & Vicinity

Whole House Fan
Reduces the need for Air Conditioning in the Summer. Tom Colasanto
Tamarack Technologies
320 Main St
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Phone: 800-222-5932
Fax: 508-759-6001

Kitchen Cabinets
Crown Point

Kitchen & Bathroom Fixtures
Ferguson Enterprises Inc
2321 Donella CT
Fort Collins, CO 80524
970-482-1722

Landscaping Sod
Gardner Turfgrass
350 Interlocker Blvd
Suite 370
Broomfield CO 80021
Phone: 303-252-1900
Fax: 303-255-3653

Landscape Materials
COMPLETED

Painting and Flooring Contractor
District Council 15 IUPAT
Phone: 303-761-1324

Bathroom Cabinets
Crown Point

Window Coverings
Creative Coverings
3878 South Jason St
Englewood CO 80110
303-777-7568

Construction Cleaning Company
COMPLETED

Driveway / Walkway Installation
COMPLETED

Electrician
IBEW Local 68
5660 Logan Street
Denver, CO 80216
303-297-0229

Land Survey
CVL Consultants
7901 E. Belleview Ave
Suite 150
Englewood, CO 80111

Engineering
Bleier and Associates Engineering Services
7304 S. Alton Way, Suite 3A
Centennial, Co
720-200-6600
sue@baes.biz

House Plans
Chatham Home Planning LLC
116 Fairhope Ave
Fairhope, AL 36532
(866) 928-0988

Douglas Engineering
Glen Douglas
15153 West 32nd Dr
Golden, CO 80401
303-421-4165
douglasseng@netzero.com

Excavation
Ralph Nance Excavation
8510 Willow Street
Commerce City, CO 80022
Front Range Excavation
8510 Willow Street
Commerce City, Colorado 80022
Office (303) 940-3299
fax (303) 940-1074

Foundation
Cain and Fay Construction
PO Box 1301
Englewood, CO 80150
303-781-2349

General Labor
COMPLETED

HVAC Materials & Installation
Nick Diller US Engineering Company
729 S E 8th Street
Loveland, CO 80537
Office 970-669-1666
Fax 970-663-0685
Cell 970-556-7550

Insulation Contractor
Sheldon Lowder
Confort Zone Insulation

Stocking Pantry
1st Judicial District Probation Department

Landscaping
COMPLETED

Movers
COMPLETED

Plasterer / Drywaller
COMPLETED

Plumbing Materials
Ferguson Enterprises Inc
2321 Donella CT
Fort Collins, CO 80524
970-482-1722

TV and 2 years of DIRECTV Services
Donated By DIRECTV

Well Drilling
Can-America Drilling