LCpl Erik Galvan

Fallbrook, CA

Mission Accomplished on September 24, 2023

 
Unsure of his plans after high school, Erik Galvan felt the military was a good opportunity to see the world. Inspired by his Marine brother, he joined the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines as an Infantryman.

In March 2011, Lance Corporal Galvan, then 19-years-old, set out on his first deployment to Afghanistan. On June 15, 2011, LCpl Galvan was on a patrol when he lost both legs and his right hand in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion. All LCpl Galvan remembers from the incident is his body going numb, rolling over and feeling like going to sleep.

Erik had most of his surgeries at Walter Reed Medical Center before transferring to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where he remained for two years.

After retiring in 2013, Erik moved to California where he now lives with his wife, Kaitlyn, and son, Logan. In 2019, Erik earned his master’s degree in social work at the University of Southern California. Kaitlyn studied nursing at California State University San Marcos and works as a registered nurse at a local hospital. Erik is currently a stay-at-home dad to care for Logan. He is also involved with Wishes for Warriors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping combat-injured Veterans experience therapeutic outdoor activities. Erik’s specially adapted custom Homes For Our Troops home gives him the ability to focus on these endeavors.

At the end of the day, Erik’s prosthetics cause pain and discomfort so he prefers to rest in his wheelchair. His former home was not accessible and he had difficulty moving from room to room. A specially adapted custom home alleviated many of these challenges. An avid chef, Erik was also able to return to whipping up dishes in the kitchen with adaptations such as lower countertops, pull down shelving, and a roll under stove.

Originally from Texas, Erik chose to remain in California to be close to school.

Erik and Kaitlyn say HFOT is a blessing and are grateful to HFOT’s donors and supporters. They look forward to raising their son and becoming active members of their community in the comfort of their forever home. “Thank you for your support to our Veterans as they rebuild their lives and return to a sense of normality. Without your dedication and donations, none of this would be possible,” Erik says.