ADAMS, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Sgt. Christopher Kurtz was on patrol with the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan in 2010 when an improvised explosive device went off nearby. Kurtz lost both of his legs above the knee, lost two fingers on his left hand, and had multiple other severe injuries.
On Thursday, the Gary Sinise Foundation, country artist Trace Adkins, and several organizations came together to celebrate providing Kurtz a home that’s specially suited to his needs. A “Walls of Honor” ceremony was held at the site of the house in Adams.
Christopher Kurtz, surrounded by his family. greets local supporters of his specially adapted home being built for the wounded veteran on Thur, September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Christopher Kurtz poses with country singer Trace Adkins and local supporters of his specially adapted smart home being built for the wounded veteran on Thursday, September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Christopher Kurtz with his family and local supporters of his specially adapted home being built for the wounded veteran on Thursday, September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Christopher Kurtz, surrounded by his family. talks to local supporters about his specially adapted home being built for the wounded veteran on Thursday, September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Christopher Kurtz, surrounded by his family. greets local supporters of his specially adapted home being built for the wounded veteran on Thur, September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Christopher Kurtz, surrounded by his family. greets local supporters of his specially adapted home being built for the wounded veteran on Thur, September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Pete Franzen with the Gary Sinise Foundation speaks to supporters gathered Inside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Friends and supporters gather Inside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Friends, family, and supporters gather Inside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Christopher Kurtz, enters his specially adapted home being built for the wounded veteran on Thur, September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Christopher Kurtz, arrives at his specially adapted home being built for the wounded veteran on Thur, September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Friends and supporters gather outside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Friends and supporters gather outside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Singer Trace Adkins speaks with with supporters of Christopher Kurtz outside the specially adapted smart home being built for the wounded Army veteran on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Inside the specially adapteds smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Inside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A message from Gary Sinise inside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz by the Gary Sinise Foundation on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Inside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Outside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Outside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Inside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Inside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Friends and supporters gather Inside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A banner at the Walls of Honor ceremony inside the specially adapted smart home being built for wounded Army veteran Christopher Kurtz on Thur September 9 2021 (Lee Erwin).
“This place is awesome, it’s going to be a great place to grow the family, my kids are going to be in great schools, this entire community is very supportive. I can’t ask for more, this is an incredible opportunity, and I can’t be more thankful, it’s just a blessing,” Kurtz said.
Adkins praised the Gary Sinise Foundation for their work. “Any time I have an opportunity to be in the presence of or associate with veterans, the heroes that we have produced in this country, I’m going to do anything I can to take advantage of that opportunity. I love these men and women,” Adkins said.
Gary Sinise wrote a personal message the Kurtz family, his wife Heather, their daughter, and son above the doorway inside the hallway to the home. Those at the “Walls of Honor” event were also invited to write messages of gratitude for the family.
The message from Sinise said in part, “The messages written within these walls are to fill your new home with the love and appreciation of a grateful nation for all you have done in service to our country.”
The house is being provided to the Kurtz family mortgage free by the Gary Sinise Foundation program R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence, Supporting Endowment), which builds specially adapted smart homes for our nation’s most severely wounded veterans and first responders, their caregivers and families.