AVERILL PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Ground breaking is set for a new home for a disabled Iraq war veteran from upstate New York whose benefactors include actor Gary Sinise (sih-NEES’).
Joe Wilkinson is a former Air Force technical sergeant who has to use a wheelchair because he suffers from a degenerative nerve disease. Two groups — the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the Gary Sinise Foundation — have joined forces to build him a new handicapped-accessible home.
The charities are working together to build so-called “smart homes” that allow wounded veterans to lead more independent lives.
Wilkinson, a married father of three, will be there Tuesday morning when ground is broken for the home being built in Averill Park in Rensselaer (rehn-suh-LEER’) County.
In April, Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band performed in Albany to raise money for the project.
