SGT Aaron Boyle

Yelm, WA

Mission Accomplished on Dec. 7, 2019

 
Motivated by the 9/11 attacks, Aaron Boyle joined the Army after high school following the legacy of his father and brothers who all served. He went on his first deployment to Iraq in 2008 as an Infantryman, and then deployed again in 2010, this time to Afghanistan with B Company, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 4th Infantry Division.

On Sept. 21, 2010, Sergeant Boyle was on patrol in the Arghandab River Valley when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED). The blast resulted in the loss of his right arm, right leg, and severe damage to his left leg.

Now medically retired, Aaron wears his prosthetic every day and has adapted his lifestyle to continue to thrive. He is involved with the local gym, Freedom Training Center, in McKenna, Wash. He would like to possibly pursue a career as a motivational speaker. He loves playing video games and finds it therapeutic. He also volunteers at several events throughout the year for the American Lake Golf Course in Lakewood, Wash.

Although Aaron has not let his injuries prevent him from pursuing his goals, he still experienced obstacles within his previous home. He and his wife Lynn love to cook for their four children, and host get-togethers with family and friends. Their previous home was not adapted, making these activities difficult for Aaron. It was hard for both of them to be in the kitchen together because the space was not wide enough for Aaron’s wheelchair. He experienced the same issue in their living room. When they had guests over, his wheelchair often blocked the entryway. Receiving a specially adapted custom Homes For Our Troops home with an open floorplan and wide doorways and hallways mitigates many of these issues for Aaron. Additionally, the financial freedom of the home gives Aaron the ability to save for his children’s college and his own schooling. Most importantly, not having the daily burden of living in non-accessible housing improves Aaron’s overall quality of life. “This home enables me to be able to spend more stress free time with my family,” he says.

Aaron says it is only because of people like HFOT’s donors and supporters that Veterans like himself are able to continue to thrive. “They inspire me every day to better myself,” he says.

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related articles:

  • Nisqually Valley News, Dec. 10, 2019 Retired Army SGT Aaron Boyle’s life changed forever last week. This time, it was for the better. Boyle and his family received the keys to their new 2,800-square-foot, specially adapted house in Yelm on Saturday. Read More.
  • Nisqually Valley News, Oct. 8, 2019 Saturday morning more than 250 individuals showed up to help landscape the property around Aaron Boyle’s new house, which was donated mortgage-free by a nonprofit and is currently being retrofitted to accommodate his needs. Read more.
  • Nisqually Valley News, Oct. 2, 2019 Homes For Our Troops, a national nonprofit, is inviting the community to assist in landscaping a specially adapted custom home for a Yelm man who was severely injured while serving in Afghanistan in 2010. Read more.