Thanksgiving is a time for family, cherished traditions, and the comfort of home—a place where memories are made as we gather with loved ones in the familiar warmth and security of home. For Sergeant Nate Shumaker, that sense of belonging and security holds an even deeper meaning.
In 2010, during his second deployment to Afghanistan, Nate was severely injured in a mortar attack, losing his left leg above the knee. After returning home, everyday life brought new challenges. In his multi-level home, he couldn’t use his wheelchair freely and had to rely on prosthetics to reach the bedrooms and bathrooms.
That all changed in 2020, when the Shumaker family received their specially adapted custom HFOT home—granting Nate the independence and mobility he had missed.
“When I wake up in the morning, I just get in my wheelchair and go,” Nate says. “I don’t have to think about putting on my leg or grabbing my crutches. I can move freely and start my day — and that feels incredibly freeing.”
For Nate, his wife Missy, and their three children, their HFOT forever home is more than just walls and a roof—it’s a place where their family thrives. From preparing family meals in the kitchen to sharing stories around the table, their home has become a backdrop for memories that will last a lifetime.
“This Thanksgiving, my heart feels especially full knowing our accessible home allows Nate to be part of every moment in the kitchen. Watching him cook beside us, laugh with the kids, and share in our favorite traditions reminds me how much freedom and togetherness truly mean,” shares Missy.
Thanks to the remarkable generosity of HFOT donors and supporters, 425 severely injured post-9/11 Veterans and their families now have a place to call home and a foundation for rebuilding their lives with comfort and dignity.
As we give thanks this season, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for your steadfast support of Homes For Our Troops.
Warmest wishes for a joyful and safe Thanksgiving.