'Homes for our Troops' Helping Find Right Fit For Injured Iraq Soldier

WAUKESHA COUNTY, WI — When life came calling for U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Gower, an army of people came to his aid. Now that he's back in the company of family, a local group is helping to make his next home one that truly fits him.

On August 2, 2007, while serving in Baghdad on his second deployment Army Sgt. Michael Gower rolled over a two-ton, improvised explosive device. Gower critically injured his back, fractured both feet, tibia and fibula and sustained a severe traumatic brain injury as a result of the blast.

Gower couldn't recall exactly how many surgeries he had at Walter Reed hospital, but returning to his home and loving wife brought his heart to rest. “When I did see Kelli, I knew I was good. I was okay. I didn’t have anything to worry about,” Gower said.

A Home That Fits

But for everything that family does for one's heart, the wood, plaster and metal that makes up the Gower house now no longer fits the man who's returned.

His current home requires using stairs to enter. None of the door frames are wide enough for a wheelchair or a walker. Having a home which he can freely and safely move around in provides freedom from worry. Having a home where he uses the shower and works in the kitchen on his own provides normalcy. A new home will provide the ability to spend more time together as a family.

Homes for our Troops

Enter the Lippert Charitable Corporation. Through the organization "Homes for our Troops," Lippert is raising money to help find the Gower family in finding a new home. Homes for our Troops is finalizing the exact lot in Waylind, Michigan for the Gower family as fundraising efforts continue.

"Throughout the years, we have supported a number of wounded veterans," Sofia Ismaili, of Lippert Flooring and Tile said. "Just last year, our golf outing proceeds went directly to the Hanrahan family in WI. We also worked with the Dennison family in Black River Falls."

How You Can Help Online:

Go to Home for our Troops, click "Donate" and you can designate who you wish to help.

On Sep. 19, Lippert hosts their annual golf outing to raise money for Homes for our Troops, and for the Gower family. Their outing is held at the Ironwood Golf Course, W 270 N 6166 Moraine Drive in Sussex.

Registration opens at 10 a.m., Lunch is at 11 and golf begins at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start. Cocktails start at 4 p.m. and dinner and awards start at 5 p.m.

For more information, visit www.hfotusa.org

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image via hfotusa.org