WHy did Extreme Home Makeover choose to help the Gilyeat Family?
Marine Injured In Iraq Gilyeat is a father of four and a Marine who served two tours in Iraq. On his second tour, for which he volunteered, he was injured on a mission when a bomb struck his vehicle. Gilyeat suffered serious injuries and lost his left leg above the knee. In addition, his marriage ended and he became a single father. Days after losing his leg, Gilyeat was up and walking with a prosthetic leg and inspiring other wounded soldiers by visiting them in hospitals and speaking with their families. Several hundred of the volunteers working on the home this week are military veterans who said they were there to support Gilyeat. Daniel Gilyeat was visibly moved — he bent over and started crying. Pennington leaned in and comforted Gilyeat. “It’s overwhelming, absolutely overwhelming,” said Bonnie Gilyeat, Daniel’s mother. “To think they would do this for someone.” Designers say the new house will greatly improve life for Gilyeat, a Marine who lost his leg while serving in Iraq. “
