Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Building for America's Heroes



Mar 13, 2012- 5:36 -
Actor Gary Sinise on his foundation's work

Gary Sinise Visits FOX23 News in the Morning

Gary Sinise Visits FOX23 News in the Morning

Actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise announces that the Gary Sinise Foundation and The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation are partnering as part of their Building for America's Bravest Program to build a "smart home" for Tech Sgt. Joe Wilkinson (USAF Ret.).

Wilkinson has extensive neurological damage following his service in Iraq. Doctors have told him he is suffering from a chronic, multi-symptom illness. The belief is he might have come into contact with toxic chemicals sometime during his tour of duty.

Despite several grueling surgeries, he has lost most of the feeling in his legs -- most likely the result of degenerative nerve damage in his back. Wilkinson is unable to walk and is wheelchair-bound.

The fundraising centerpiece to build Wilkinson a "smart home" will be a concert performed by Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band at the Washington Avenue Armory on Saturday, April 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the concert go on sale Monday, March 12 and range in price from $30 to $50 with all proceeds going toward funding the specially-equipped house for Wilkinson, that will allow him to live independently with his wife Lucretia and their children Austin, 13, Kennedi, 10 and Mia, 2.