As the Gary Sinise Foundation prepares to celebrate our 100th mortgage-free, specially adapted smart home, we continue reflecting on the remarkable individuals who represent the heart of our home building initiative. These heroes come from all walks of life, united by their courage, sacrifice, and resilience.  

Sharif Muzayen, recipient of Home #82 in Kingsland, Georgia, embodies not just one but two paths of service, to his country and to his community.  

A Global Upbringing, A Deep Commitment to Service 

Born in Denver, Colorado, Sharif Muzayen spent much of his early life abroad, living in Beirut, Lebanon, and Berlin, Germany, before eventually resettling in the United States. His childhood was shaped by a love for science and sports. He excelled in soccer, basketball, and ice hockey, developing the discipline and drive that would later define his adult life.  

After permanently moving to Georgia in 2008, Sharif felt the call to serve. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving for five years and deploying to Afghanistan. There, he rose to the rank of Corporal and took on the critical role of Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge at the Cross Unit Combat Operation Center, serving as a liaison between American and Afghan military units.  

Following his honorable discharge in 2013, Sharif didn’t slow down – he shifted his focus to public safety and community protection, joining the Orange Police Department in California.  

A First Responder On The Front Lines 

After completing pre-academy and field training, Officer Muzayen specialized in identifying and arresting impaired drivers, taking a proactive role in keeping his community safe. In a short time, he arrested 75 individuals for driving under the influence, demonstrating his deep commitment to protecting others.  

On December 10, 2016, while responding to a report of a suspected drunk driver, Sharif’s life changed in an instant. As he pulled forms from his patrol vehicle, he was struck by an oncoming drunk driver, the very danger he had worked so hard to prevent.  

The impact left him with multiple life-threatening injuries: a broken tibia and fibula, a severed femoral artery, and a brain hemorrhage.  

A Long Road To Recovery 

After multiple surgeries and weeks in the hospital, Sharif was finally able to return home, where he began a two-year journey of intensive rehabilitation. In December 2019, after exhausting all medical options, Sharif made the difficult but necessary decision to undergo an above-the-knee amputation of his left leg.  

The road wasn’t easy, but with the unwavering support of his family, Sharif approached recovery with the same courage and discipline that marked his military and law enforcement service.  

A Home That Honors Dual Service 

In 2023, the Gary Sinise Foundation was honored to provide Sharif and his family with a mortgage-free, specially adapted smart home in Kingsland, Georgia. As a veteran and a first responder, Sharif represents two communities that the Foundation is proud to serve.  

The custom-built smart home includes wheelchair-accessible entryways, voice-controlled technology, barrier-free bathrooms, and other adaptations that allow Sharif to live with greater independence, safety, and dignity. For a man whose daily life was filled with challenges most of us will never face, this home has been a life-changing gift.  

Looking Ahead With Purpose 

Sharif has gone on to pursue a degree in biology, with the hopes of earning a doctorate in herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians. When he’s not studying, Sharif enjoys board games, video games, and movie nights with his family.  

Despite everything he has endured, Sharif continues to inspire through his determination and optimism. His story reminds us that healing is not just about physical recovery, but about reclaiming joy, purpose, and identity.  

Honoring The Warrior And The Protector 

Sharif Muzayen’s story is one of dual devotion, to his fellow Marines in combat and to his neighbors back home. His courage on both fronts defines what it means to serve.  

As we mark the journey towards our 100th mortgage-free, specially adapted smart home, we are proud to celebrate heroes like Sharif who gave, and who continue to give, everything for others.  

To contribute to homes for heroes like Sharif and his family, please donate to the Gary Sinise Foundation today.