001 // our projects

The Hemwall Family

star icon

Location

Ypsalanti, MI

Project Status

Funding

U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Hemwall joined the military in September 2008 as a 19D Cavalry Scout. During his time in the service, Hemwall received numerous awards including a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, a NATO International Security Assistance Force Service Ribbon, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, a Combat Action Badge, an Army Good Conduct Medal, a Navy Service Ribbon, a Global war on Terrorism Medal, and a National Defense Service Ribbon.

Hemwall was initially stationed in Vilseck, Germany, before being sent to Romania in August 2009 as a part of a NATO mission. Less than a year later, Hemwall was deployed to Afghanistan where he moved nine times. During his deployment, Hemwall served as a driver, a gunner, a dismount, and a truck commander before being assigned to the TAC team to serve as personal security to Squadron Commander, Command Sergeant Major, and S3 Commander.

On March 19, 2011, while getting ready for a mission on the Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan, Hemwall was shot three times by an Afghani security guard. The gunshots pierced through Hemwall’s back and legs, causing foot drop and his common peroneal nerve to be damaged. Following his injury, Hemwall was transported to Landstuhl, Germany, before being transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland.

Hemwall spent 21 months in physical therapy with hopes of salvaging his limb, but by November 2012, his right calf muscle had atrophied so severely that it became even more difficult for him to support his own body weight. In January 2013, Hemwall had to have his right leg amputated below the knee. Hemwall currently lives in Michigan with his wife, Valerie, and their nine-month-old son, Colton.

 

apply to join
our family

Get started