Gary Sinise Foundation Builds New Home For Wounded Army Veteran
FOUR OAKS — The Gary Sinise Foundation is extending its mission of gratitude and service by building a specially adapted smart home for an Army veteran who sustained life-altering injuries while serving in Iraq.
Mary Dague, a former Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, was severely wounded on November 4, 2007, when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated as she attempted to disarm it. In a moment of bravery, she shielded her fellow soldiers by hugging the device, an act that saved lives but cost her both arms. The explosion also ruptured her eardrums and left her with shrapnel injuries to her face.
She was airlifted within 15 minutes of the incident and began what would become a long and difficult recovery process. In the years that followed, Mary endured numerous surgeries, faced emotional and physical hurdles, and battled breast cancer. Despite these overwhelming challenges, she remained determined and resilient.
Eventually, Mary returned to Washington to be closer to her military unit, where she met and married James, a fellow EOD technician. The couple later moved to Four Oaks, where they are now preparing to move into a new 2,900-square-foot, specially adapted home provided by the Gary Sinise Foundation.
A special ceremony was held on Tuesday where Mary and James got to see their new Lakewood Road home under construction for the first time.
The custom-built residence features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an attached garage, covered porches, and state-of-the-art smart home technology. Designed with accessibility and independence in mind, the home is intended to ease daily struggles and restore freedom of movement.
“She’s a humble hero,” said a representative of the foundation. “What Mary sacrificed can never be repaid, but we can show our gratitude by helping restore the independence she gave up protecting others.”
Despite her experiences and the recognition she’s received, Mary has remained modest about her service.
“I don’t feel deserving,” she said of the support and generosity shown to her. When asked if she would change anything about that day in 2007, she simply replied, “Would I change anything? No.”
The Gary Sinise Foundation, established by actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, has built dozens of homes across the country for severely wounded veterans. Its R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) program is dedicated to constructing specially adapted smart homes for heroes like Mary who have made extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty.
The new home will be a place of healing, comfort, and newfound freedom.
Discover more from JoCo Report
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
14 Comments
Comments are closed.
Thank you for your service and your sacrifice Mary. You and your husband are heroes and I pray that you both will enjoy your new home.
Thank-you for your service and your sacrifices. You both are heroes, enjoy your home and new beginnings.
As a USMC veteran i salute you for your bravery, your sacrifice, and service. You and your family are deserving of this honor.
What a positive contribution to our community. It should be noted that Gary Sinise, a lifelong Republican, disavows Donald Trump.
Really? You are pathetic.
TDS
But he will not go near the Democratic foolishness.
Beans really you had to do it didn’t you I guess your opinion is more important than this story
This content is outstanding
TDS works both ways
Being a conscientious conservative does not align with being a MAGA extremist.
From Wikipedia
Despite being a lifelong supporter of the Republican Party, Sinise refused to endorse or vote for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election,[citation needed] or in the 2024 election and also criticized Trump after the then-candidate questioned McCain’s status as a war hero because he was captured as a prisoner of war.[50]
My god Americans! This hero was not worried about politics,just serving her country. Why don’t you idiots learn a lesson from her. God bless and keep going!
My fellow Americans, I appreciate and support your debate. That said, my service to this awesome country and its people is not, and will never be conditional. What (if any) God(s) you worship; What creed you embody; What customs and traditions you keep; What lifestyle you lead; Who you vote for, are none of my business. I served and sacrificed to protect our freedom to decide for ourselves. Be the best version of you that you can, just don’t harm others in your pursuit of that. And realize that you don’t have to agree with someone to respect them.
-Mary
Mary Dague, thank you so very much for your service, your bravery, your sacrifice for me and all of the citizens of our great nation! No amount of words can express my heartfelt thanks for you, your husband and all veterans (past, present and future). As a daughter of a Viet Nam veteran (RIP Daddy), I have the utmost respect for all y’all veterans. Enjoy your new home!