The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has recently provided flooring for four homes in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment), which builds mortgage-free, custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders.
The homes were presented to retired U.S. Navy Cdr. Robert Ballard in Chesapeake, Va., with flooring donated by Mullican Flooring; retired U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brad Ivanchan in Scottsdale, Ariz., with flooring donated by Lambright Flooring and installation services donated by Blackhawk Floors; retired U.S. Army Cpt. Tyson Quink in Leesburg, Va., with flooring donated by Mannington Mills; and retired U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Joe Bowser in Ashland City, Tenn., with flooring also donated by Mullican.
Cdr. Ballard started as a naval aviator and flew helicopters on multiple deployments throughout the Middle East during his 20-year military career. Upon his retirement, he became a professional flight instructor. In 2021, he was working with a student at a Navy Outlying Field when he was involved in a devastating crash. While his quick actions saved his and his student’s lives, Ballard suffered severe injuries including paralysis.
“Cdr. Ballard endured six months of surgeries and physical therapy following his injury,” said Stephanie Owen, NWFA president and CEO. “His new home will eliminate many of the daily challenges he now faces and will be an enduring reminder of our gratitude for his service to our country.”
Cpl. Ivanchan joined the Marines on his 19th birthday. He was deployed to Iraq in 2009, serving as a turret gunner and providing escort security for an explosive ordinance disposal team. He went on to become a machine gun team leader and then a squad leader with 12 Marines under his command. In 2012, his team was conducting a night patrol when several IEDs detonated, resulting in the partial loss of both legs and severe injuries to his left arm and hand.
“Cpl. Ivanchan endured six surgeries just to rebuild his hand, not to mention the surgeries involved for his legs,” Owen noted. “I’m told he started walking just three months after his injuries, which shows he faces life with grit and determination.”
After graduating from West Point, Cpt. Quink deployed to Kandahar in Afghanistan. While leading a patrol, Quink and his team found multiple explosive devices. He called for a specialist to sweep the area and when he took a step back to let the specialist pass, an IED was triggered resulting in the loss of his leg.
“Cpt. Quink endured multiple surgeries following his injury but never lost his passion for service,” Owen stated. “Following his recovery, he returned to West Point to help young cadets just beginning their military careers.”
After an honorable discharge during his first enrollment in the Army, Sgt. Bowser re-enlisted in the Army Reserves following the Sept. 11 attacks. While deployed in Iraq, he was injured when a 122mm rocket exploded right behind him, followed by another immediately after. The blasts resulted in the loss of his right leg.
“Sgt. Bowser underwent 14 surgeries following his injury but continued to serve through 2021 as staff assistant to the Secretary of the Army, where he advised the Secretary on wounded veteran issues,” Owen said.
In addition to the 85 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 14 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 163 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics and installation services in locations throughout the U.S., with a total value of more than $7 million. A list of all NWFA R.I.S.E. participating companies can be found at http://www.nwfa.org/giving-back.aspx.
