Severely Wounded Army Ranger SFC Michael Schlitz Receives "Smart Home" in Columbus, Georgia

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Oct. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, severely wounded SFC Michael Schlitz and his family were handed the keys to their new specially adapted Smart Home at a ribbon cutting ceremony held at the home in Columbus, Georgia.  The specially adapted Smart Home is designed and built with each individuals needs in mind and can come customized with a variety of features that ease daily challenges and helps restore independence, including retractable cook tops, cabinets and shelving, elevators and more, all accessible via an iPad.  The home was made possible by Building for America's Bravest, a partner program of the Gary Sinise Foundation's R.I.S.E. program and Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

"I met Mike Schlitz and his mother Robbie for the first time in 2010 when they visited me on the set of CSI NY," said Sinise, Founder of Gary Sinise Foundation (www.garysinisefoundation.org) "There is a great sense of pride that comes from completing this Smart Home and handing over that iPad. Thanks to our donors and partners, Michael Schlitz's new home will enable both of them to live more independent lives and I am proud and honored to have supported this project."

"We are so pleased that Mike is receiving his home today," said Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.tunnel2towers.org)   "As a 9/11 organization we are committed to making sure that our injured service members, who were placed in harm's way as a result of the attack on the World Trade Center, are taken care of when they return home, after having fought so courageously in the War On Terrorism."

Schlitz is a 14-year U.S. Army Ranger who medically retired in 2010 after injuries sustained in Iraq.  He and his team were in the southern Baghdad area doing a basic road-clearing mission when they came upon Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which destroyed Schlitz's truck killing his driver, gunner and medic. The blast threw him from the vehicle and suffered burns over the majority of his body along with the loss of both his arms as well as impairment to his vision.

"I have so much respect and admiration for everyone who contributed to the building of our new Smart Home," said Schlitz. "There are no words that can express how it feels to be on the receiving end of such generosity.  I am truly humbled."

The following donors also contributed to make Schiltz's home a reality - Marcus Foundation, CMG Foundation, Home Depot Foundation, CMC Commercial Metals, The Carrington Companies, Carrington Charitable Foundation, Shubert Design Furniture, CORE Brands, Qmotion, Carpet One, Mohawk Flooring, General Electric, CORD Moving and Storage, North American Moving Services, General Electric and more, will join the Columbus, Georgia community in dedicating a custom designed, specially adapted "Smart Home" for SFC Michael Schlitz (Ret).

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141031/155867

SOURCE Gary Sinise Foundation

Related Links

http://www.garysinisefoundation.org