JAH4WW will give the gift of a mortgage-free, accessible home to U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Chris Burrell

[FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, DECEMBER 23, 2020] Five-Time NFL Pro Bowler and Hall of Fame hopeful, Jared Allen and his foundation, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors (JAH4WW) was overjoyed to surprise United States Army Staff Sergeant Chris Burrell with a Christmas miracle. In honor of his service and sacrifice the foundation has plans to build SSG Burrell, a military amputee and Purple Heart recipient, a mortgage-free, accessible home anywhere in the United States.

On December 26, 2007, Army military policeman, SSG Burrell was leaving on a mission to support Iraqi police when, just 350 meters outside the wire, three explosively formed penetrators destroyed his vehicle, took his left leg above the knee, severely damaged his right leg and left him with a traumatic brain injury.

Before being medically evacuated he called his then five-year old-daughter and bravely, he told her “Daddy had a boo-boo.”

After surviving his alive day, Burrell wasn’t willing to accept the medical discharge that was nearly an inevitability based on his severe wounds. He immersed himself in his rehabilitation and in spite of the odds stacked against him, fought to stay on active duty. In the summer of 2010, through sheer will and determination, he got his wish and returned to Fort Bragg to continue his military career.

There he serves today and manages his brigade’s canine program, overseeing an operation that includes 112 military working dogs. In Spring of 2021, he will reach his amazing goal of serving through his retirement in the Army.

After receiving the call from Jared Allen and JAH4WW Executive Director, Alex Karalexis, SSG Burrell said, “I am in shock. I actually broke down into tears after the call. Besides my daughter’s birth, this is the greatest thing to ever happen. I just feel so fortunate.”

“There are few greater joys than to call a military hero – like Chris – to tell them we are going to build them a house.” said Jared Allen “And to do it at Christmas time, days just before he celebrates the 13th anniversary of his Alive Day is a blessing. There is no one more deserving.”

Click here to watch a video of the phone call. 

To stay up-to-date on the latest with SSG Burrell’s build and to learn more about  follow JAH4WW on Facebook and Instagram.