September 17, 2025, is Panel Town’s 58th year anniversary.
We’re marking this milestone by sharing our experience with the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program, which builds specially adapted smart homes for America’s wounded military heroes.
This is also our 100th blog post.
Lt. Dan Taylor: A Hero’s Journey
Gary Sinise’s portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump is familiar to millions and often ranked among the greatest supporting performances of all time.
The character endures in American film and resonates especially with military veterans.
In the movie, Lt. Dan lives to serve his country and protect his men. At the first sign of danger, he shouts, “Get down and shut up,” then belly-crawls forward himself to scout the path.
Even his caution and training can’t prevent the ambush that kills many of his men.
The firefight leaves him severely wounded. His mission lost, his body broken.
After both of his legs are amputated, he’s convinced he’s been robbed of his destiny.
The injury is only the beginning. What follows is the burden on both mind and spirit: the memories of combat, the loss of dignity, identity, and purpose.
Lt. Dan mirrors the reality of soldiers who return home severely wounded.
Recovery isn’t rest.
It’s a new battlefield.
What Wounded Heroes Face
Many wounded heroes return to homes that no longer work for them.
Doorways are too narrow to move through.
Stairs become dangerous.
Cooking, showering, or even getting a drink of water is difficult or impossible without help.
Imagine going from the highest level of self-sufficiency and discipline as a soldier to depending on others daily for your basic needs.
After his injury, Lt. Dan sinks into anger and despair. He rails against everyone and everything.
But over time, his wounds from war become a source of strength. With Forrest’s support, he faces what broke him and rebuilds his life.
By the end of the film, Lt. Dan is a successful businessman, standing with “magic legs” and walking forward into the future.
Lt. Dan’s journey embodies the resilience of the real Lt. Dans: brave in battle, broken in body, yet strong enough to keep going.
Gary Sinise’s Mission
Sinise made Lt. Dan real—first on screen, then through his dedication to supporting veterans.
Long before Forrest Gump, he backed Vietnam veterans during the years when their struggles at home went unknown to the public or were ignored.
And what began as concern for their well-being grew into a lifelong mission to support every generation of defenders since.
After 9/11, as more soldiers returned home wounded, Sinise increased his efforts.
He formed the Lt. Dan Band to boost the troops’ morale. The band has played over 600 shows at U.S. bases and continues to perform year after year.
The R.I.S.E. Program
In 2012, the Foundation launched R.I.S.E. — Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment. The program builds 100% mortgage-free, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans.
The program also funds home modifications, mobility devices, and adapted vehicles for injured, ill, and aging heroes.
Each home is custom-built to meet their exact needs.
Key features include:
- Extra-wide hallways
- Accessible bathrooms
- Pull-down cabinetry
- Seamless flooring
- Smart-home controls
These homes make safer, faster daily routines possible for veterans and their families. The result is independence and comfort.
Each R.I.S.E. home is made possible through a team effort of tradespeople, suppliers, and donors working side by side. Every home requires teamwork, and that’s where Panel Town found a way to help.
Panel Town’s Role
At Panel Town, we’ve been honored to donate Sheoga flooring and assist with installations for R.I.S.E. homes.
It’s one part of a larger effort. Building these homes takes far more than flooring. But it’s rewarding to see the difference a smooth, seamless hardwood floor can make.
From left: Sam Thomas, Adrienne Walker, Homdi Soliman, Gary Sinise, and Attia Soliman at the NWFA Expo.
The right flooring is essential: a level, solid surface means safe passage for a wheelchair, fewer risks of falls, and greater freedom of movement for everyone in the home.
We first heard about the R.I.S.E. program through the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) and Sheoga, who encouraged us to get involved.
Our first project was the custom-home build for Shane Parsons and his family. It was an amazing experience!
When you take part in one of these projects, you understand why the Gary Sinise Foundation’s work matters so deeply.
Since 2023, we’ve been a part of three home-building projects for service members who have given so much for every American.
Honoring The Heroes Who Served
As much as audiences connect with Lt. Dan on screen—and as inspiring as Gary Sinise’s dedication has been—he often reminds us that the true heroes are the veterans themselves.
Their heroic stories exemplify bravery, strength, and resilience. Please take a moment to learn about these incredible warriors.
Shane Parsons, U.S. Army Sergeant (Ret.)
After 9/11, Shane Parsons enlisted in the U.S. Army. In 2006, he volunteered to take another soldier’s place on patrol as the lead driver.
On that mission, his vehicle hit an IED. He lost both legs above the knee and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Recovery took years, but he didn’t quit. He married, became a father to two boys, and a key member of his sled hockey team.
In 2023, the Gary Sinise Foundation dedicated home #85 to Shane and his family in Plain City, Ohio.
John Kremer, U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class (Ret.)
At 20 years old, John Kremer joined the U.S. Navy as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician—one of the most dangerous jobs in the military.
In 2010, just days after his daughter’s birth, John was clearing landmines in Afghanistan when his detector failed. The blast cost him both legs.
When his daughter was learning how to walk for the first time, he was learning to walk again.
In 2024, the Gary Sinise Foundation dedicated Home #91 to John and his family in Lebanon, Ohio.
Chad Ohmer, U.S. Marine Corporal (Ret.)
Driven by a love for adventure, Chad Ohmer enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and deployed twice to Afghanistan.
In May 2012, after rushing to help a fellow Marine, an IED detonated and left him with injuries requiring more than 50 surgeries.
Like Shane and John, Chad is a husband and father. He’s also a key player on his sled hockey team in Cincinnati.
In 2025, the Gary Sinise Foundation dedicated Home #95 to Chad and his family in Maineville, Ohio.
How to Help a Hero
Are you interested in getting involved? Here’s how you can get started today:
Donate to the R.I.S.E. program. Your contribution helps build homes where a ramp replaces stairs, a voice command opens the door, and a level floor removes the threat of a fall. Each gift helps a wounded hero live with freedom and dignity.
Lend your trade. R.I.S.E. homes are built by pros who donate time, materials, and expertise. Carpenters, electricians, tile setters, flooring installers. The Foundation coordinates everything, so your effort lands where it’s needed most. Volunteer today.
Order Gary Sinise’s Book. All profits from Grateful American go to the Foundation, so every copy sold supports veterans.
Root for Paul Skenes. Every strikeout Paul Skenes throws in the 2025 season adds $100 to the Gary Sinise Foundation. He’s already raised $100,000 and has increased the goal to $150,000 for the remainder of the season.
Write a Heartfelt Note. A simple message of gratitude can make a veteran’s day. You can write directly to a wounded veteran.
We Can Always Do a Little More
“We can never do enough for our nation’s heroes, but we can always do a little more.”
Gary Sinise’s words capture the heart of a mission built on gratitude and action.
The men and women who return home with life-changing injuries have already given more than most of us ever will. Their sacrifices are personal and permanent.
By donating, volunteering, or simply standing alongside them, you help lift the weight they shouldn’t have to carry alone.
