SGT Bryan Camacho

Murfreesboro, TN

Mission Accomplished on Sept. 21, 2019

On Dec. 21, 2007, Army Sergeant Bryan Camacho, serving as an Infantryman with the 1-87 Infantry, 10th Mountain Division, was searching for an ammunition cache with his unit in Hawija, Iraq, when another patrol in a nearby village was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). SGT Camacho and his unit were attempting to respond when his vehicle ran over a secondary IED. The blast threw SGT Camacho from the turret of the vehicle, breaking his back and paralyzing him from the waist down.

Once back in the United States, Bryan underwent rigorous therapy at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Hospital in Richmond, Va., and the Kessler Institute in West Orange, N.J. After a year and a half of hard work, Bryan became completely independent in a manual wheelchair.

A few years later, Bryan faced a major setback in his recovery. On Nov. 15, 2014, Bryan’s adapted truck spun out on ice and rolled into a ditch, breaking his neck and paralyzing him from the neck down. The injury took away the independence Bryan worked so hard to regain.

Despite overcoming two injuries, Bryan continues to pursue his hobbies and interests. He works with a roller derby team that raises money for local animal shelters and children’s programs. He enjoys attending church and going to movies and concerts.

Though Bryan strives to lead an active life, he still experienced restrictions within his previous home. Because of the limited accessibility, Bryan had to stay in bed most of the time. A custom specially adapted Homes For Our Troops home with an open floorplan and accessible bathrooms and shower gives Bryan more independence. “In this environment, I am able to get out more and pursue my hobbies,” he says.

Bryan is grateful to HFOT donors and sponsors who contributed to the building of his specially adapted custom home, adding that he appreciates any amount given. “This home makes my daily living significantly easier, and means the world to me,” he says. “If I ever find a way to repay HFOT’s supporters, I will.”

related articles:

  • Murfreesboro Post, Oct. 14, 2019 National nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) donated a home to disabled Army SGT Bryan Camacho recently in the Whitworth-Buchanan area. Read more.
  • Kitchen and Bath Business, Oct. 9, 2019 Homes For Our Troops and Rev-A-Shelf‘s Southeast Territory Representative Chris Justice and country legend and HFOT spokesperson Wynonna Judd welcomed SGT Bryan Camacho and his family to their new home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, last month. Read more.
  • HBS Dealer, Oct. 7, 2019 Homes For Our Troops and Rev-A-Shelf’s Southeast Territory Representative, Chris Justice, and country legend and HFOT spokesperson Wynonna Judd welcomed SGT Bryan Camacho and his family to their new home last month in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Read more.
  • WGNS News Radio, Sept. 24, 2019 Welcome home Army Sergeant Bryan Camacho. He moved into his new home provided by Home for Our Troops. This specially built home will enable him to lead a more normal life. Read more.
  • WKRN, Sept. 22, 2019 It’s the simple things many of us take for granted, like getting in and out of bed or taking a shower all by ourselves, that paralyzed Army Sergeant Bryan Camacho hasn’t been able to do in years. But, thanks to the nonprofit Homes for Our Troops, the solider now has a brand new home in Murfreesboro, with special amenities to help. Read more.
  • News Channel 5 Nashville, Sept. 21, 2019 An army sergeant paralyzed in Iraq was given a custom home in Rutherford County. It was a patriotic moment as the wounded veteran wheeled into his new house for the very first time. Read more.
  • WGNS News Radio, July 7, 2019 This coming Saturday volunteers are encouraged to come together and help retired U.S. Army Sergeant Bryan Camacho with landscaping for his specially adapted custom home. Read more.
  • Murfreesboro Post, Dec. 11, 2018 U.S. Army Sergeant Bryan Camacho could have lived anywhere in the nation, but he said he chose Murfreesboro for the historic charm and the friendly people. He has been living in Clarksville, he said, because it was his first duty station, but will be moving to Murfreesboro in 2019 after a custom home is built to accommodate his needs. Read more.