MSg Christopher “Chris” Blauvelt

Wesley Chapel, FL

Mission Accomplished on August 17, 2024

With the goal of pursuing a career in law enforcement, Chris joined the Coast Guard immediately after high school. Four of his eight years in the Coast Guard were spent as a helicopter rescue swimmer before he joined the Marine Corps, where he worked in Force Recon. He left the military in early 2001 and enlisted with the Connecticut Army National Guard after the 9/11 attacks.

On April 4, 2010, during his first deployment, Master Sergeant Blauvelt was on a patrol in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division, when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated under his vehicle. The blast resulted in the traumatic amputation of his right leg, spinal fractures, a fractured pelvis, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). He was treated in Landstuhl, Germany before returning stateside to Walter Reed Medical Center for additional rehabilitation.

Now medically retired, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, Bernadette, and their five children. In his former non-adapted home, daily tasks such as cooking and showering posed a safety risk. In his specially adapted custom HFOT home, the roll-in shower, therapy tub, and wheelchair accessible kitchen with lowered countertops and pull-down shelving provide a sense of relief. The mortgage-free home allows him to further his education and pursue a degree in clinical social work. Bernadette owns and operates B Creative Painting Studio, a painting and craft store in Wesley Chapel.

Originally from Connecticut, Chris chose to build his home in Florida to be close to medical care.

Chris says it’s an amazing feeling to have HFOT donors and supporters take care of Veterans like himself. “The gift of a mortgage free home is beyond generous and we are so grateful!”