For Tomball High school graduate Corporal Rob Engelbrecht U.S. Army (Ret.)
On Tuesday September 8th Congressman Kevin Brady will proudly stand alongside Cpl Rob Engelbrecht and break ground on his new Meritage Home in the Cypress Trails Subdivision.
Corporal Rob Engelbrecht USA (Ret.) grew up in Magnolia Texas where he attended Tomball High School and participated in ROTC. Rob comes from a great heritage of service to our nation. One of his grandfathers served in Korea and the other in World War II.
Rob joined the Army in March 2004 and deployed to Iraq in September 2005 where he served as a Humvee driver. On July 31 2006 he was the lead driver in a convoy and after they embarked on their mission they hit an IED. Following the explosion another insurgent shot an RPG at the disabled HUmvee where Rob remained in the drivers seat. Due to Robs quick thinking he leaned back and the RPG ent straight thru the truck.
His other 2 passengers only suffered surface scapes as Rob took the brunt of the explosion. With the quick response of his comrades they collapsed the drivers seat and pulled him out through the back door. He remained conscious until the helicopter arrived to Medivac him to the military hospital in Iraq. After he was stabilized he was sent to our base in Landstuhl Germany and then on to Walter Reed where he as in a coma for 10 days and underwent numerous surgeries trying to save his leg which was severely damaged in the explosion.
As a result of the IED explosion his left leg was amputated he lost his right eye and only has 40 vision in the left eye. He took shrapnel throughout his body leaving his right arm with severe damage and extensive damage to his discs in his back requiring him to be in a wheelchair 95 of the time. He also suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) that has impacted his short term memory. Despite all of these life changing injuries Rob remains optimistic about his future.
After two years of rehabilitation and treatment he has finally returned home to Magnolia where he lives with his father and stepmom both of whom have left their jobs to care for him. He is very blessed to have parents who are committed to his recovery and continued rehabilitation. He plans to continue his education and pursue vocational training with the VA.
HelpingaHero.org has awarded a new home to Rob and will partner with Meritage Homes and Cypress Trails to build this specially adapted home. This home will include wider doors a roll under sink roll in shower hard wood and tile floors etc… so Rob will be able to fully function in his wheelchair.
Congressman Kevin Brady said After all that Rob has given to our country -- and with the assistance from HelpingaHero.org -- this new home will give Rob and his loved ones something they truly deserve. I wish him many years of happiness and memories in his new home.
Meredith Iler National Chairman of HelpingaHero.org said We all celebrate this special day with Rob. A true new beginning…an opportunity to rebuild his life and break ground on a new home that will meet his every need and where he will regain his independence. We are especially grateful to Meritage Homes and Cypress Trails for partnering with HelpingaHero.org to make this home a reality."
This home is made possible by the generosity of the Mortgage Bankers Association Harris County Housing Authority John P. McGovern Foundation. For more information on the HelpingaHero.orgs Home Program visit the website at
www.helpingahero.org.
WHEN:
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8 2009 10:00 AM
WHERE:
11639 Balthamwood Lane Tomball Texas 77377 CYPRESS TRAILS Subdivision (From Beltway 8 take 249 North…exit Spring-Cypress…Turn Left onto Spring Cypress…go 1 ½ miles South…Turn Right into Cypress Trails Subdivision…homesite a block ahead on left)
WHO:
Cpl Rob Engelbrecht (Ret.)
Congressman Kevin Brady
State Rep. Allen Fletcher
Meredith Iler HelpingaHero.org
