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Paralyzed vet will star in ad

By Lisa Ryckman, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 11, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

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Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Keil is about to become a star.

The young soldier paralyzed from the neck down by an Iraqi sniper's bullet a year ago will be featured in a national television commercial for Paralyzed Veterans of America, a group that works to improve the quality of life for soldiers with spinal cord injuries.

"He's a good face for PVA because he's doing what they like to see - getting on with his life," said Keil's wife, Tracy.

The public service announcement will be filmed in Colorado by a film crew from Washington, D.C., where the 20,000-member veterans group is based.

Also, groundbreaking for the Keils' new home in Parker is expected in March, Tracy Keil said.

The house, being built free of charge by Pulte Homes and the nonprofit Homes for Our Troops, will have all the latest technology and any specialized changes the Keils want, such as roll-in showers, extra-wide hallways and doors, and the electric hoist Keil needs to get in and out of bed.

Help for the Keils

Homes for Our Troops builds specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans free of charge.

* Skills needed: Suppliers, plumbers, electricians, framers and anyone else who would like to help.

* Donations needed: Lumber, wallboard, cabinets, counter tops, roofing and flooring. For a complete list, go to homes forourtroops.org/site/Page Navigator/SSG_Matthew_Keil

* More information: Homesforourtroops.org or contact Kirt Rebello, director of projects and veterans affairs, at 866-7-TROOPS or krebello@ homesforourtroops.org.

Comments

  • February 11, 2008

    1:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Darwin writes:

    Thank you Staff Sgt. Keil for your service and sacrifice for our country. Thanks also to Homes for Our Troops, Pulte Homes and all those donating and those volunteering their services. I hope to spend some days out there myself if possible.