Natural Stone Institute: R.I.S.E. Homes 48 & 49
OBERLIN, Ohio —The Natural Stone Institute recently provided natural stone and fabrication services for two homes with the Gary Sinise Foundation through its R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) program.
The Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program builds 100% mortgage-free specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders.
Institute members assisted in the construction of homes for U.S. Army First Sgt. John Borders (Ret.) in Brooksville, Fla., and Cpt. Captain Jason Church (Ret.) in Oconomowoc, Wis.
On January 5, 2006, after a year-long tour of duty in Iraq, Borders was participating in a routine convoy when his Humvee was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). He was scheduled for surgeries every other day for several months, receiving over 55 surgeries total. 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.
With the help of family and friends, and his own self-imposed drive to return to active duty, Borders stayed positive, working through sessions with his physical therapist until he regained more use of his limbs and learned to walk with a prosthetic limb. Then, he learned to run. Every time he achieved a goal, he set himself two more. After more than three years, Borders completed his Medical Evaluation Board and returned to active duty as a counterintelligence special agent.
Borders served more than 27 years in the army, 12 of which he served as a handicapped individual. He deployed five times, completing his last tour in Afghanistan with his new leg. In January 2018, he retired as a first sergeant, a title he aimed to achieve his whole career.
Post-retirement, Borders has found a new way to serve others, redefining himself as a scuba instructor. He wants to help individuals with limited mobility learn to dive and find freedom from their pain and restriction in the deep water. He lives in Florida with his wife, Mollie (also an Army veteran), and their two children, Brittany and Xander.
Cosentino and Distinctive Surfaces of Florida provided natural stone and installation for the Borders home.
Church, a third-generation soldier, moved from La Crosse, Wis. to Fort Benning, Ga., for military education, going through infantry officer basic leader course, Ranger School, and Airborne School. After graduating, Church moved to Fort Lewis, Wash., and deployed to Afghanistan shortly after.
While conducting a routine patrol with his unit on Aug. 23, 2012, it quickly became clear that Church and the others were walking into an ambush and standing in a field of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). Borders attempted to knock over a wall to create an escape route; however, a loud explosion rang out, knocking him unconscious for a few seconds. Upon waking, he quickly realized that the IED had severed both of his legs below the knee.
With his unit’s help and its medic, Church was transferred to a MEDEVAC site and eventually to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Upon arriving at Walter Reed, he spent two-and-a-half months in in-patient care while enduring 20 surgeries to save his legs and his life.
He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated with a law degree. In his off time, Borders enjoys traveling, fishing, and spending time with his family.
Terrazzo & Marble Supply, Grazzini Brothers & Company, Halquist Stone, and Eden Valders Stone provided natural stone and fabrication for the Church home.
Companies interested in getting involved with future projects are encouraged to email rise@naturalstoneinstitute.org. To learn more, and to see a list of all Natural Stone Institute members who have donated their time, products, and services to this cause, visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/RISE.
