HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS

Founded in 2004, Homes for Our Troops is a national non-profit, non-partisan organization committed to assisting severely injured and disabled servicemen and women and their immediate families. This organization works with local contractors to build new homes that are handicap-accessible, often for multiple amputees and individuals with spinal cord injuries.

On Sept. 1-4, 2008, national attention will be focused on Minnesota as St. Paul hosts the Republican National Convention. During this time, we hope to direct some of that attention to Homes for Our Troops and the credit union involvement in this program. Minnesota credit unions, working in conjunction with Homes for Our Troops and CUNA, will provide the funding and volunteer support necessary to complete this project.

Credit unions will have a strong presence at the National Conventions and are excited to continue progressing on this special project, allowing them to leave a lasting legacy in the convention cities and to give something back to the host communities.

The groundbreaking and construction in Minnesota and Colorado is expected to begin in the coming months. The deeding ceremonies for these uniquely-outfitted homes will take place in conjunction with the respective conventions.

Fundraising efforts are currently underway!

Contribute to Homes for Our Troops
(For a printable contribution form, click here.)

SERGEANT MARCUS KUBOY

Sergeant Marcus Kuboy, 30, served three years active duty for the Minnesota National Guard. His tour in Iraq was initially due to end on March 21, 2007, but it was extended by six months to support the troop surge. While patrolling the outskirts of Fallujah with his unit on March 23, 2007, the truck Sgt. Kuboy’s was riding in ran over an IED bomb, causing it to explode. He and his vehicle were airborne, and Sgt. Kuboy was ejected.

The explosion severely injured Sgt. Kuboy’s legs, and he broke his back, left arm and jaw upon landing. One soldier died in the attack and Sgt. Kuboy’s roommate had both his legs broken when the truck he had been in landed on them. Sgt. Kuboy does not remember the attack. Sgt. Kuboy was the Army Medic for his unit and he also served as the unit trainer for the Combat Life Saver Qualification program. Sgt. Kuboy’s skill and training are credited for saving his life and that of his roommate.

Sgt. Kuboy spent his initial recovery of four-and-a-half months as a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He then spent five months as an outpatient at the Fisherhouse in Washington, D.C. During those months, he endured eight surgeries. Sgt. Kuboy is now part of the Community Based Health Care Operation (part of the U.S. Army Medical Command) for injured soldiers, which allows wounded war veterans to rehabilitate closer to home.

He has suffered some setbacks on the road to recovery, including a serious bone infection in his left leg that may lead to amputation. While his right leg sustained the brunt of the damage in Iraq, it does appear to be healing, so hopefully it will not need to be amputated. He needs to use a wheelchair to get around, but can use crutches if it is just a short distance.

Sgt. Kuboy is a Minnesota native, and his parents currently live in Minneapolis. Sgt. Kuboy was born in Robbinsdale, but grew up in New Hope. He is a graduate of the Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Plymouth where he played hockey and football. In the summers, he enjoyed playing softball in local leagues. Marcus also attended the Minneapolis Community & Technical College, where he studied history.

Sgt. Kuboy is very excited to call St. Paul his new hometown. He says the city is full of history and has a lot of character. He is very thankful that people have separated the war from the soldiers – especially how it has brought out the best in a lot of good people.