Oklahomans, Hollywood help veteran

Oklahomans, Hollywood help veteran

Many Oklahomans including Sapulpans with some star shine from national level celebrities are helping a badly war wounded U.S. Army veteran get a new home.

“I am glad we are able to build this home in Oklahoma. I am an Army veteran and Dunagan is a comrade, We went because we thought it was the right thing to do” Oklahoma DAVA Commander Joni Bundy said. She and Tammy Larkin of Sapulpa took part in the event.

Producer and actor Gary Sinise and his foundation spearheaded an effort to build a “smart house” to accommodate the special needs of a wounded warrior, several fundraisers including one earlier this month, have been undertaken to build a hero a home.

Rusty Lee Dunagan, of Guthrie joined the U.S. Army as an able bodied patriot, determined to do his part in the Global War on Terror.

While on patrol in Afghanistan Staff Sergeant Dunagan contacted an IED (improvised explosive device) planted by insurgents that on Sept. 22, 2010 took both legs and his left arm.

The blast force tossed him off the road he and his unit were patrolling, into a sewage filled ditch. He had served in the army four years. He is unique in that he is the only post Sept 11 Oklahoma warrior to survive triple amputee battle wounds and one of just 23 War on Terror veterans with similar wounds still alive.

The fundraising event attended by 700 guests included Governor Mary Fallin (she brought with her a state proclamation) occurred thanks to a chance meeting by a retired Edmond Army Blackhawk pilot who bumped into Gary Sinise at a September dinner in Los Angeles.

“We met and he said to me you are from Edmond, Oklahoma. We just cleared a project for a wounded veteran there,” Stuart Jolly said.

Jolly agreed to be the point man for the event.

“If you lose both your legs and and arm for the country I am going to work for you. It has been a blessing for me. There were a lot of people who gave lots of energy at the event,” Jolly said.

Dunagan is the father of five children and married to Angie. He served two deployments in the Afghan warzone.

Since his injury the Sooner soldier has endured physical pain resultant from battling infections and undergoing 30 surgeries.

The wounded warrior is often asked how he still has an overall positive attitude and outlook on life in light of his devastating injuries.

“I am grateful to be alive and God must have a reason for me to still be here. I know this will be a challenge but I plan on getting some prosthetic legs, get to walking and get back to my family,” Dunagan says.

The March 11 dinner show and auction looked to raise $500,000 was called the Oklahoma Inspiration to Action. The event started with a special screening of the movie Forrest Gump at Harkins Theater hosted by Sinise, 58, whose role in the film of Lt. Dan, a Vietnam veteran amputee, is iconic. A gala dinner and auction followed at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

John Rich of country music’s Big & Rich performed , and Sammy L. Davis, a Medal of Honor winner and ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation, was the featured speaker.

The Gary Sinise Foundation and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation cannot wait until Rusty is able to walk to the entrance of his Smart Home

“His sacrifices for his country and never ending optimism are truly inspiring. It is our hope that he finds this home a sanctuary where he can continue his process of healing, raise his children and enjoy the American dream,” said the Sinise and the Tunnels to Towers. Foundations in a joint statement.

By the end of this year 27 construction preparations, groundbreaking, or completed Smart Homes for veterans will span across the country.

Smart Homes, are special customized to ease the day-to-day challenges injured veterans face. These homes feature retractable cook tops, cabinets and shelving, automated lighting, heating, air-conditioning and window treatments centrally controlled by an iPad.

Dependent on the specific need of the homeowner, some are built with elevators, roll-in bathrooms, front-load washers and dryers, intercom systems and automated doors to help restore independent living.

A lot has been purchased in Edmond for the Dunagan family. Architectural plans have been drawn up and the Bowers Construction Company has committed to the build. Home construction is expected to start in three to four weeks time.

“His sacrifices for his country and never ending optimism are truly inspiring. It is our hope that he finds this home a sanctuary where he can continue his process of healing, raise his children and enjoy the American dream,” Sinise said.