Custom Home to Be Built for Wounded Veteran

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CHEVY CHASE, MD — An Army captain who survived five tours of duty in the Middle East and a near-fatal bomb attack will receive a custom-built home adapted to his war wounds.

Capt. Luis Avila and his wife, Claudia, along with their three sons, will get a new home in Chevy Chase courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday.

The Avila’s home is the 41st that the foundation is building for wounded U.S. veterans, WTOP reports.

The foundation started by actor Sinise – known for playing Lt. Dan Taylor in the film “Forrest Gump” and as the star of the TV series “CSI: NY” – was created in 2011. Its mission is to build custom Smart Homes for severely wounded veterans, serve meals to deploying troops and host spirit-boosting festivals for patients, families and medical staff at military hospitals.

Capt. Avila served five combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

On Dec. 27, 2011, an improvised explosive device detonated near Avila’s team. Three soldiers were killed by the blast and two others were severely wounded.

Avila lost his left leg, and suffered two strokes, two heart attacks, and severe lack of oxygen, which caused brain damage. He was left almost completely paralyzed.

According to the Sinise Foundation’s website, Avila was in a coma for 40 days. He continues to undergo extensive therapy at Walter Reed National Medical Center. Today he can see, speak, eat, laugh and tell jokes.

»Photo of Capt. Luis Avila with actor and veterans advocate Gary Sinise, courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation