August 5, 2019
HARRISVILLE, Pa. (AUG. 5, 2019)– CHANNELLOCK® is proud to join nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops to give Navy PO3 Justin Hendrickson the keys to his new home. Hendrickson received the keys during a special ceremony on Saturday, August 3. Ryan DeArment, CHANNELLOCK® vice president of sales and marketing, spoke at the event and presented Hendrickson with CHANNELLOCK® tools. The company is honored to work with such an outstanding organization to serve Hendrickson, who was selected for the project because of the injury he sustained in Afghanistan.
“Justin Hendrickson is an inspiring hero whose story and commitment to our country has touched us all here at CHANNELLOCK®,” DeArment said. “As an American company, we want to recognize the sacrifice that Veterans like Justin have made for the preservation of our freedom and safety. He has given so much to our country, and we can’t imagine a greater honor than to give Justin the freedom and safety at home that he deserves.”
Hendrickson enlisted in the Navy shortly after finishing high school and was first deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. In May of 2005, he was on a resupply mission in Iraq when his vehicle drove over an improvised explosive device (IED), causing him to lose his right leg. He returned to the U.S. to endure numerous surgeries and rigorous therapy, but most notably, met and married his wife of ten years, Jennie.
While the couple has steadfast optimism about their future, they are still facing some challenges. Jennie was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2016. In addition, the couple’s living situation is not accessible to Justin in his physical condition. It is for these reasons that Homes For Our Troops constructed the open floor plan home for the couple, which Justin and Jennie elected to build just outside of Pittsburgh. Justin now teaches college courses in the area and is a nurse at the local hospital.
“I am very humbled and honored to be receiving a home from HFOT, sponsors like CHANNELLOCK®, and the community, where my wife and I can live barrier-free post injury,” Hendrickson said. “It will also enable us to care for one another while living life to its fullest. I really couldn’t want or ask for anything more. Thank you so much to everyone, this is truly a blessing.”
“It is because of brave men and women like Justin that we as Americans can maintain and enjoy the freedoms we have today. It is our obligation as a nation to ensure these Veterans receive the adapted homes they need and deserve,” said HFOT president Tom Landwermeyer.
Channellock, Inc. is proud to be a continued supporter of Homes For Our Troops. More information about Navy PO3 Justin Hendrickson and his story is available here.
About Homes for Our Troops (HFOT)
Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) is a publicly funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post –9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives. Most of these Veterans have sustained injuries including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, and/or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). These homes restore some of the freedom and independence our Veterans sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents out of every dollar spent has gone directly to our program services for Veterans. HFOT builds these homes where the Veteran chooses to live, and continues its relationship with the Veterans after home delivery to assist them with rebuilding their lives. For more information, visit www.hfotusa.org.