As a Veteran Owned Business, we understand the hardships our injured vets face when they return to civilian life. And we believe in giving back to these wounded warriors wherever we can. Putting our money where our mouth is, we have partnered with Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), a non-profit which builds homes for injured vets. These homes are designed to accommodate the unique challenges our returning vets face, such as having to use wheel chairs or prosthetic limbs, and are provided to our vets free of cost.
Specifically, CertaPro Painters® of Charlottesville is proud and honored to be participating in the building of a home for one of our local heroes, CPL Kevin Blancard, right here in Crozet, Virginia.
CPL Kevin Blanchard’s Story
On June 30, 2005, Marine Corporal Kevin Blanchard, a combat engineer, was on patrol in northwest Iraq with the 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). There were four other Marines in the vehicle, but Cpl Blanchard was the most severely injured, losing his left leg and sustaining severe damage to his right. Cpl Blanchard says the only reason he survived was because there was Navy Corpsman riding with him.
Cpl Blanchard spent the following 13 months undergoing 30 surgeries at Walter Reed Medical Center. He was in a wheelchair for eight months and battled a bone infection in his right leg that nearly caused it to be amputated.
In the ten years since his injury, Kevin has maintained an adventurous and active lifestyle. Shortly after medically retiring in 2006, he received a bachelor’s degree in international business from The George Washington University and a master’s in the Science of Management from Catholic University. He has worked in Veteran Service Organizations, focusing primarily on healthcare, employment, and franchise business opportunities for veterans transitioning from military service. He is the co-founder of a San Diego based non-profit organization helping Veterans gain employment within the Medtech industry. He is involved with events and groups within his community, plays golf and enjoys cycling. An avid traveler, he has backpacked through much of Latin America while studying Spanish and volunteering at prosthetic clinics.
Kevin is currently writing a book about his recovery and Post Traumatic Growth. He is also working on building an online platform to help other survivors tell their stories and why their experience has changed them for the better. He says a mortgage-free home, adapted to his injuries will help with these goals. Two main adaptations he says that will be beneficial are the wider hallways/doorways and accessible shower, which will make it easier for him to move around.
Originally from Roanoke, Virginia, Kevin and his fiancée, Myra Khan, are choosing to build their home in Crozet, Virginia for its creative atmosphere, abundance of outdoor activities, and proximity to both their families.
As of 03/04/2016 HFOT has built 182 homes for needy vets with another 45 homes under construction. Learn more about Homes For Our Troops.
