A Memorable Walls of Honor Event For Wounded Army 1SG John Borders
October 11th, 2022
The Gary Sinise Foundation recently hosted another special Walls of Honor event for wounded Army 1SG John Borders in Brooksville, Florida, where family and friends took time to write special messages of love and support on the walls of John's future R.I.S.E. specially adapted smart home.
"I absolutely love all the happy messages and, like everyone saying thank you, and all of that is going to be in the bones. It’s really nice, it is going to support them forever," said his daughter Brittany Borders.
After a year-long tour of duty in Iraq, on January 5, 2006, just six days before he was scheduled to return home, then U.S. Army Staff Sergeant John Borders was participating in a routine convoy when his Humvee was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED), critically injuring him. The extent of his injuries required him to go through limb salvage with his left leg and have his right leg amputated below the knee. After more than 55 surgeries, he had to learn how to live life all over again.
With the help of family and friends and his own self-imposed drive to return to active duty, staff sergeant Borders stayed positive, doggedly working through session after session with his physical therapist until he regained more use of his limbs and learned to walk using a prosthetic leg.
After more than three years, staff sergeant Borders completed his Medical Evaluation Board and returned to active duty as a counterintelligence special agent. Borders served over 27 years in the army, 12 of which he served as a handicapable individual. He deployed a total of five times, completing his last tour in Afghanistan with his new leg. In January 2018, he retired as a sergeant first class, a title he aimed to achieve his whole career.
"This R.I.S.E. home from the Gary Sinise Foundation is going to help me regain my independence but also my family to help with theirs," Borders said. The Gary Sinise Foundation, with the support and generosity of the American people, is honored to be building the future specially adapted smart home for John Borders.