MSG Brandon Vilt
Hazel Green, AL
Inspired by a lifelong desire to serve, Brandon Vilt enlisted in the Army in 2005.
On April 22, 2007, during his first combat deployment, then Specialist Vilt was serving as a helicopter maintainer with Bravo Company, 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Infantry Division in Iraq when he was involved in a vehicle-related accident during operations, resulting in the amputation of his left leg above the knee.
He was medically evacuated to a local hospital for immediate treatment before transferring to Landstuhl, Germany. Stateside, he underwent multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Brandon returned to active duty before retiring as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of service.
Brandon and his wife, Sarah, enjoy traveling and staying physically active. Brandon is passionate about aviation and is currently building a Zenith 750 Super Duty aircraft. He is actively involved in powered paragliding and flies RC planes with a local RC flying club, where he enjoys mentoring younger members and introducing them to the fundamentals of flight. He is also involved with veteran-focused organizations, using his experiences to motivate and encourage others.
In his current traditional two-story home, narrow doorways and tight spaces limit Brandon’s ability to move freely throughout the house, often causing frustration and forcing him to navigate in ways that are physically demanding and unsafe. “I use my wheelchair the moment I get home, and I get so frustrated when I can’t get through certain areas or crash into a doorway because the space just isn’t built for someone like me. I find myself hopping around more than I should, and that’s not sustainable,” he says.
A specially adapted custom HFOT home would provide a barrier-free environment where he can safely access all living spaces and maintain greater independence. “An HFOT home would give me a space that works with me—not against me—so I can recharge and keep doing everything I love without burning out. It’s not about what I can’t do; it’s about what I could do better with a home built for how I live now,” he says.
Originally from California, Brandon is choosing to build his home in Alabama, drawn by its central location in the Southeast.
Brandon offers his heartfelt thanks to HFOT donors and supporters whose generosity will have a lasting impact on his quality of life. “A specially adapted home can be the difference between just getting by and actually living again. Your support empowers us—not just to survive, but to thrive. You’re helping real people take back control of their lives. That impact is bigger than words can ever express,” he says.
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