11/11/2024
🎖️ Winner of 2024 Veteran Floor Makeover Giveaway 🎖️
The Concrete Cure is pleased to announce our 2024 TCC Veterans Floor Makeover award winner:
"I proudly nominate my husband Jerry DeWeerd for the garage floor makeover. He served 4 years active duty Air Force and upon returning to Idaho enlisted in the Idaho Army National Guard. While serving in the Guard he earned his degree and enrolled in Officer Candidate School - OCS. His intention was a career in the Military, as an Officer.
After graduating OSC he continued to serve in the IANG. With service comes training. In 1988 as a Second Lieutenant, he embarked with his unit on a training mission. The mission included transporting unit personnel via Huey helicopter to the Idaho City area. Through a series of events the helicopter lost lift due to incorrect air density evaluation and sent the aircraft plummeting to the ground. The Huey bounced, tipped,and rolled down an embankment. Jerry was sitting in an end seat by the door and his foot got outside of the aircraft and was crushed on impact.
He was flown to St. Alphonsus where he learned they could not save his foot. He underwent surgery for a Symes amputation procedure and then flown to Ft. Lewis Army Hospital in WA for aftercare and rehab. He did extremely well for 24 years, adapting to his new normal and pushing through any obstacle in his way. In 2012 he developed issues at the bottom of his leg, due to time related physical changes in muscle and tissue. His Fibula and Tibia were pushing through the end of his leg. We subsequently learned that he would have to undergo yet another amputation, this time to remove the lower 8” of his leg.
In 2017 we purchased our current home because we wanted space and a quiet, country setting to retire to. To achieve this, we opted for an older home. We have spent the last 7 years rebuilding and renovating our home, inside and outside, to include a very advanced, adaptive shower to meet his needs and provide the safest environment possible. This has all been done out of pocket from us.
The last piece of our renovation is the garage space. Our home was built in 1973 so it has very little storage and the laundry set up is in the garage. We are updating the entire garage to include a pantry area and cleaner look since it is an extension of our living area. The floor needs to be repaired and upgraded to provide a no skid surface where he can access it daily without the fear of slipping and falling.
He has faced every challenge thrown at him with grace and grit, never complaining or asking why. Every Veteran and Soldier is deserving of receiving this generous gift and I appreciate your considering his nomination. Should he be selected, we would be extremely appreciative and grateful.
Businesses such as yours that give back generously to Veterans make an indelible mark on the community and hearts of Veterans and their families. Thank you deeply for that!"
Thank you to all the canidates, friends and family for your participation.
The Concrete Cure
