Andersen helps make life easier for Wounded Warriors

Jared Allen, who had a memorable career with the Minnesota Vikings football team from 2008-2013, was one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL for more than a decade. In his retirement, Allen uses his celebrity platform to give back.

Andersen’s contributions of window and door products, as well as grants, to Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors have supported the organization and its work over the past five years.

“We’re proud to play a role in building homes with the amazing JAH4WW team, the custom home builders and trades who build the homes, Andersen Certified Contractors who support the window installations and other supporters to make a positive, life-changing difference in the homes of our country’s heroes,” said Eliza Chlebeck, Andersen’s senior director of communications and community. "It’s an honor to know that our windows and doors help create safe, accessible spaces for these veterans and their families to live and heal."

After being wounded in Afghanistan while serving in the U.S. Army, and ultimately losing her leg, Sgt. Vazquez now has a home with handicap accessible features that will help her live her life to the fullest. “It was my honor to be involved in this project, and I hope to do it again. I’m thankful that our company takes such an active part in these endeavors,” Andersen Territory Sales Representative Phil Crawley said.

Seven years into her service she was handpicked by the Commander and Sergeant Major of the Battalion to be the NCOIC of the BN FET (Female engagement team). She deployed overseas to attend the first female engagement team school in Baghram, Afghanistan, where her life would be forever changed.

Three weeks before her team would be returning to America she was on a routine patrol when the unit started taking small arms fire, RPGs, and motor rounds. It was during this fire fight that Sgt. Vazquez sustained the critical injuries that she is still dealing with to this day. Although she was severely injured Sgt. Vazquez made the decision to stay in Afghanistan to train the unit coming in to replace them.

Once back stateside she started down her long road to recovery. She underwent 18 surgeries on her lower left leg as well as three spinal cord surgeries. Unfortunately, the surgeries to salvage her leg were unsuccessful and the decision was made to amputate the limb.

Stephanie is determined to not let her injuries define her and will “never let the enemy win.”

In December, Sgt. Vazquez received the keys to her new home. She is grateful for the added security and independence it brings for her. It’s a feeling of safety and ease that many wounded veterans don’t experience when living in a home that’s not accessible to their needs.

In June, Staff Sergeant Brent Nadjadi walked through the frame of what will soon be his new home. While Nadjadi grew up in the small town of Bath, NY, his impact on his community is anything but small. Today, he is a police officer for the Village of Canisteo Police Department and well known as a fitness enthusiast in his town. Nadjadi is also a renowned local hero who made great sacrifices during his service in the United States Army.

In February 2008, Nadjadi enlisted in the United States Army as a heavy equipment operator. A little over a year later he was deployed to Afghanistan to perform route clearance operations. On September 13, 2010, the armored vehicle he was in hit an improvised explosive device (IED). Through many years of medical treatment, he has eventually needed to amputate both legs below the knee.

In recognition of his service and sacrifice, Nadjadi and his family will receive an accessible and amputee-safe home in his hometown of Bath — a home that will help the veteran lead an easier home life, not only for him, but also for his family.

In June, family, friends, partners and the team from JAH4WW came together for a frame signing ceremony, writing their well wishes on the structure.

Together, they shared their support for Nadjadi and helped make his home a place filled with positive energy, well wishes and love. A touching moment was shared between Nadjadi and his daughter, Payton, who wrote a loving message for her father on one of the frames.

“I’m in shock. I broke down into tears after that call. Besides my daughter’s birth, this is the greatest thing to ever happen. I just feel so fortunate,” said Staff Sergeant Chris Burrell after hearing he’d be receiving a home from JAH4WW.

Burrell served as a United States Army military policeman. When heading to provide aid to the local Iraqi police force, three explosives destroyed his vehicle, severing his left leg above the knee, severely damaging his right leg and leaving him with a traumatic brain injury.

After surviving his “Alive Day” — the anniversary of the date when a veteran almost lost their life in combat — Burrell didn’t want his injuries to stop him from serving his country. He began his rehabilitation and, despite the odds, fought to stay on active duty. In the summer of 2010, through sheer will and determination, he got his wish and returned to Fort Bragg, N.C., to continue his military career.

There, Burrell worked hard to eventually manage his brigade’s canine program, overseeing an operation that includes 112 military working dogs. In spring 2021, he reached his amazing goal of serving through his retirement in the United States Army.

The opportunity to receive a home from JAH4WW will have a profound impact on Burrell’s life.

On June 13 and 14 this year, Andersen windows and doors were installed in Burrell’s home with the assistance of Andersen Certified Contractor, All American Services, and its crew of David Robinson, David Boone, William Juciauskas, and Steven Robinson along with Andersen territory sales representatives Ronnie Olson and Reid Schulz.

Builder Brian Smith of Smith Contracting, also a veteran having served in the United States Coast Guard, was onsite throughout the installation process and showed his appreciation for Andersen’s involvement with the project.

Posted: June 7, 2023