A gift of rebuilding for wounded soldier

Excuse Fort Carson’s Sgt. 1st Class Raleigh Heekin for feeling overwhelmed Saturday and more than a little humbled.

“I’m not special,” Heekin told a group of volunteers swarming his Fountain house. “I’m just a man who joined the Army and went to war. There’s a lot of us out there.”

Heekin stood in the warm Saturday sun next to a 20-foot flagpole just erected in his front yard, gazing up at the new American flag. He thanked the people who put it there and again said, “I’m not special.”

But the people from Rebuilding Together, a not-for-profit company that helps refurbish homes for those in need, politely disagreed. They thought Heekin was special enough to bring their program “Serving Those Who Serve” to his house to finish the family’s basement, spruce up the yard and winterize the windows.

Heekin’s leg was torn open by a roadside bomb Feb. 22, 2007, while he served as a platoon leader in the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, near Ramadi, Iraq.

Nineteen surgeries later — with one more to go — Heekin is able to walk without the use of a wheelchair, crutches or a cane. Though he’s desperate to get back to the war zone to help his fellow soldiers, the 14-year veteran knows he’ll likely be stuck behind a desk for the rest of his Army career.

“I’ll do what I can to help the Army and our soldiers,” he said.

With the help of corporate sponsors Countrywide Financial Corp. and Booz Allen Hamilton, Rebuilding Together officials and a team of about 25 volunteers made an estimated $40,000 worth of improvements to the Heekin home.

“This is one of the best examples of supporting our troops I’ve ever seen,” said Staff Sgt. Wayne Marlow. “This will make a significant difference in Sgt. Heekin’s life.”

Heekin lives with his wife, Misty, and his three young children, all under 10 years old. The finished basement, with the addition of a bathroom, bedroom and sink, will give Heekin his own space when he needs it, Misty Heekin said. With the traumatic brain injury he suffered, there are many sleepless nights.

“Luckily, we have wonderful neighbors who have helped so much,” Misty Heekin said. “We’re like one big family around here.”

Several members of that family grabbed paint brushes, rakes, shovels and whatever else they could to finish the work.

“He’s a good addition to our diverse neighborhood,” said volunteer Alex Longo, 15. “This is a good chance to help him out.”

“This is our way to honor his past service, and his continued service,” said Lee Mizer, executive director of Rebuilding Together Colorado Springs.

Heekin’s house is the 23rd house of an injured Iraq veteran the program has improved.

“There’s a huge demand for this kind of work,” said T.J. Cantwell, Rebuilding’s director of veteran housing. “Especially in Colorado Springs where there’s such a big military population.”

Heekin spent time Saturday talking with Fort Carson’s commanding general, Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, about the friends he lost in Ramadi and the soldiers in worse shape than him.

“Thanks for what you do,” Graham said. “And Misty right along with you.”

But Heekin wanted to be the one doing the thanking Saturday.

“It’s amazing people care this much.”

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0110 or dennis.huspeni@gazette.com