SSG Orlando Gill

Floresville, TX

In 1992, Orlando Gill enlisted in the Army after high school for camaraderie and brotherhood.

In August 2004, on his second deployment, Orlando was part of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division that deployed directly from Korea to Iraq. On October 2nd of that year, Staff Sergeant Gill was on patrol with Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery when he was struck in the leg by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). He sustained severe injuries to his leg and hearing loss in his right ear.

Orlando was airlifted to a combat hospital where his right leg was amputated. Once stabilized, he was sent to Landstuhl, Germany, then transported to Walter Reed Medical Center (WRMC) where he underwent revision surgery and received additional treatment. During his rehabilitation, Orlando met his future wife Maria, a physical therapist at WRMC, who served in the military for over two decades.

Orlando and Maria are proud parents to a son, Darius. They share a love of the outdoors and traveling. Their current living environment is an older home with narrow hallways and doorways. Orlando is unable to turn around in his wheelchair and often must rely on Maria to help him navigate from room to room.

A specially adapted custom home from Homes For Our Troops will give Orlando the freedom and independence to access the entire home, including the garage and outside areas. “Our lives are going to change dramatically because of this home,” he says. “It’s a godsend and a blessing.”

Orlando is choosing to build his home in Maria’s home state of Texas.

Orlando would like to thank HFOT donors and supporters for their compassion and generosity. “My wife and I are blessed to have people like you who care about us. We never would have been able to have a home that gives me complete access and independence. This is beyond a dream.”

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