CPL MATTHEW COLE

Covington, LA

Mission Accomplished on Nov. 17, 2007

Marine Corporal Matthew Cole was on his second tour of duty when he and another Marine were struck by a mortar round fired by insurgents. Cpl Cole sustained injuries to his spinal cord and lungs, paralyzing him from the waist down.

A year after Matt was injured, he and his wife Kim purchased a home that was not wheelchair accessible in Covington, La. The couple hired a contractor to make adaptations to his home, especially the kitchen, as Matt was studying to become a chef. Homes For Our Troops helped Matt and Kim pay off the debt they accrued from the renovations.