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Home Depot offers to replace tools stolen from vet

Vicki Hildner, CBS4

Published July 5, 2008 at 12:15 a.m.
Updated July 6, 2008 at 11 a.m.

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"This is just too much," a tearful Tracy Keil said after hearing Friday that thieves made off with homebuilding supplies and volunteer homebuilders' tools for she and her husband - veteran Matt Keil, who was paralyzed in Iraq.

Photo by Darin Mcgregor / The Rocky/File

"This is just too much," a tearful Tracy Keil said after hearing Friday that thieves made off with homebuilding supplies and volunteer homebuilders' tools for she and her husband - veteran Matt Keil, who was paralyzed in Iraq.

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PARKER — The Home Depot in Parker has offered to replace tools stolen from the home being built for a quadriplegic veteran on the Fourth of July.

Matt and Tracy Keil had the tools stolen after thieves broke into storage units on their home site in Parker and made off with homebuilding supplies and volunteer homebuilders' tools.

The site was clearly marked as the newly built home for a veteran sponsored by the national organiation "Homes for our Troops."

Just one week ago, dozens of volunteers gathered for a 3 day "building brigade" and took the house from foundation to weather-secure frame. Volunteers from Pulte Home and other organizations worked non-stop through last weekend to make the Keils dream home a reality.

Most of the supplies for the home have been donated under through "Homes for our Troops."

By the end of last weekend, the Keils were celebrating.

On Friday, everything changed when they received word that their homesite had been vandalized and materials stolen.

"This is just too much," a tearful Tracy Keil told CBS4.

The Keils were shopping Saturday when the store approached them to replace the tools. They hope to pick up the tools on Monday.

Staff Sgt. Matt Keil was shot by sniper on his second tour of duty in Iraq. The injury left him completely paralyzed. He has fought back from the injury to regain very limited use of his left hand and to breathe without a ventilator. CBS4 has featured stories about his recovery since he was admitted for treatment at Craig Hospital in Englewood in May of 2007.

The Keil family has become a symbol of hope, courage and optimism to other veterans and the public in general.

On Friday their optimism has been shaken by thieves who targeted a decorated veteran on the 4th of July.

Additional Resources

If you would like to send your support to Matt and Tracy Keil, you can contact them by logging on to their Caring Bridge Web site: caringbridge.org/visit/matthewkeil

Comments

  • July 5, 2008

    2:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    happymike44 writes:

    This is a really low person to steal from a group of people so in need of help.
    They need to do their community service with a group of paralyzed veterans.
    Just so they understand what they robbed someone. Who gave so much to this country.
    While the thief has given so little to the world.
    What a low life pos for a human being.
    This pos person needs to be put in the big house with the other low life pos human beings.

  • July 5, 2008

    3:17 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Otter writes:

    Parker has a lot of crime! There is allways something like this going on there.

  • July 5, 2008

    7:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    The_Punnisher writes:

    RT, WE are doing something about illegals:

    numbersusa http://www.numbersusa.com/content/

    Close Borders NOW!!! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CloseBo...

    Remember the AMNESTY that got shot down last year? We helped do it!

    Stealing from people helping a vet??? That is the lowest form of life....even below Ambulance Chasers...>8-(

  • July 5, 2008

    8:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    The_Punnisher writes:

    I got it:

    http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mat...

    Boy, He has a lot of GONGS ( medals to the n00bs ) and a rocker!!

    Semper Fi, Dude!!!

    Nil illegitimi carborundum!!!!

  • July 5, 2008

    8:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Rangerjoe1 writes:

    This is the pattern of a contractor that hire Illegals to work for them. They have lock-up trailors, to put in tools and material. Illegals are paid so low wages they WILL go back to the job and rob them. Colorado workers will do that job, they always have, but they want a fair wage and they know what a fair wage is. Remember the story of a backho beening stolen by an illegal employee and wrecked it. Sorry that this American Hero was robbed, its something every construction worker in Colorado has had to put up with for some time now.

  • July 5, 2008

    8:36 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Fascin8ed writes:

    RT and Outrider, the URL works if you remove the space between his first and last names when you put it in the address bar.
    http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mat...

  • July 5, 2008

    9:44 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    The_Punnisher writes:

    " Rangerjoe1 writes:

    This is the pattern of a contractor that hire Illegals to work for them. They have lock-up trailors, to put in tools and material. Illegals are paid so low wages they WILL go back to the job and rob them. Colorado workers will do that job, they always have, but they want a fair wage and they know what a fair wage is. Remember the story of a backho beening stolen by an illegal employee and wrecked it. Sorry that this American Hero was robbed, its something every construction worker in Colorado has had to put up with for some time now. "

    Now you know PART of the reason I say NO AMNESTY!!! and give ILLEGAL ALIENS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS a hard time.

    This INVASION has cost the US TAXPAYER enough, now it strikes at the core of our being, THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE FOR US!!!

    Enough is enough!!!

    Now we have to FIND out who did this. The Parker Police had better do their job NOW and find the people responsible...QUICKLY!!!

  • July 5, 2008

    11:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mytwosense writes:

    When you steal from someone, you steal more than just material goods. You steal their trust in other people. I just don't see how anyone could choose such a "vocation." Shame, shame on the thieves who violated this family who has already endured way more than their share of hardships.

    That being said, the media coverage of this story will likely bring some "Good Samaritans" out who will restore the family's faith in humanity. Thanks to the RMN for alerting the community about this.

  • July 5, 2008

    12:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    The_Punnisher writes:

    This is what a LOCAL newspaper does best: REPORT THE LOCAL NEWS!!!!

    THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD REPORTING!!!

    A Follow-up story would be even better....

  • July 5, 2008

    12:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Detroitrockcity writes:

    Whoever did such a thing I hope you know what a loser and embarrassment you are to America. To steal anything makes people mad but to steal from a paralyzed vet? To the Keil family - dont worry we are behind you and everything will be taken care of.

  • July 5, 2008

    1:19 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    redwhiteandBLUE writes:

    Call or E-mail reporter that wrote the story..they can contact our vet. T steal the livelihood of our vet is outrageous !
    I hope they catch the thief soon! By then he may have disposed of the tool. I'm so so sorry Keil family.

  • July 5, 2008

    2:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    oilburner writes:

    Hey RT and others,

    I'm on your side with regards to illegals, but aren't we jumping the gun here? I don't see anywhere that this was done by illegals. I'm not judging either way, but there are enough lowlife Americans out there, who would do the same thing.

    Either way, the story makes me sick no matter who did it. The guy gives the ultimate for his country and this is how he is treated...awful.

  • July 5, 2008

    9:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mytwosense writes:

    Tommy: "Pretty sad, maybe it was Code Pink."

    Come on, let's not make this thread political. Regardless of varying opinions on the war, decent people are disgusted by this theft and wish the best for the family.

  • July 5, 2008

    10:01 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    dimples writes:

    Just how low down can these people be, I'm sure it was more then one. This Veteran had his life changed forever. He put his life on the line so some scum like you have freedom to roam around this great country. I hope they catch you and send you to Iraq in the front lines. B.T of Denver

  • July 5, 2008

    10:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    peterpi writes:

    I guess people will use any excuse to condemn illegal immigrants, but nothing in this story says anything about illegal immigrants. As far as shady contractors, the story says it was built with volunteer help and Pulte Homes. I doubt either was shady.
    If you want to condemn the low-life thief(ves) who stole the tools and praise Home Depot for replacing them, I'm with you.
    But to condemn people who weren't even mentioned, I guess you'll find anything for an excuse.
    What next? Is the rising cost of gas to be blamed on illegal immigrants? Sunday liquor store sales? The sun rising at 5:39 on July 6?

  • July 6, 2008

    6:43 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    HollyGoLightly writes:

    Geezo Flips! As if these people don't have enough on their plate, someone has to steal the tools used to build their home. Low, real low. I'm glad Home Depot stepped up to replace the tools.

  • July 6, 2008

    10:28 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    AlleyCat_1128 writes:

    RememberThis.............Please note that you are showing the NO EDUCATION, common sense and low self esteem by writing such inhumane comments.

    The audacity to condemn illegal immigrants when all these issues you have raised are all brought on by our own Americans!

    Maybe it was GAVACHO's that stole all the tools for their CRACK or Meth FIX, ever thought about that?

    Use the little education you have and look at the real picture and stop blaming other's for our OWN enemies!

    LAZY, GREEDY Americans that are afraid to work and find it easier to steal!

  • July 6, 2008

    12:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jmfslots writes:

    Home Depot- I Salute you. This is a wonderful response to this terrible crime. I will make Home Depot one of my regular stops now, instead of just looking for the cheapest price.

  • July 6, 2008

    2:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Scott writes:

    Home Depot ... YOU ROCK! Thank you so much for helping out.

    Scott

  • July 6, 2008

    3:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LuvAmerica writes:

    Geezus FloydHill, we know the words you are saying, but they make no sense strung together like that!

    So what if Home Depot gets some good press out of it? And the headline is written that way because that's the point of this updated story! It's not like HD said "we get a headline OR NO TOOLS". I applaud and encourage HD's involvement in the community. The more the merrier! In modern day corporate America, its nice to see a company think a little outside the big box, and perhaps it will serve as a model to other companies.

    I'm going out to my local HD to buy some paint today, and I'll be sure to compliment the Parker store's good deed.