It is a busy Holiday season for Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. The Groundbreaking Event on December 13, 2016USMC is for Corporal Josh Brubaker’s. This will be a celebratory event where we invite supporters, members of the media, and the community to come visit the site and participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking to kick off construction on Josh’s specially adapted custom smart home in Bakersfield, CA.
Cord Moving and Storage and all the Agents for North American Van Lines are a strong sponsor and supporter of the foundation, one that we hope many others would get involved – as Gary Sinise said, “we all can give a little more.”
Joshua Brubaker, USMC Cpl. Retired
USMC Corporal Joshua Brubaker grew up in Bakersfield, California in a family of six. Joshua always knew he wanted to join the military. He made a deal with his mother that he would finish college first, and then join the United States Marine Corps. Joshua achieved an A.S. degree in Criminal Justice and enlisted shortly thereafter.
He was deployed to Afghanistan in the Musa Qala district, South Helmand Province. His team was sent on a mission where Joshua stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) which knocked him unconscious. His left foot was lost in the blast and his right foot was severely injured. He was flown to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and underwent daily surgeries, fighting for his life for two and a half weeks. Due to infections, both of his legs would eventually be amputated.
Optimistic, Joshua stated he was, “saved by the grace of God” and was able to make a full recovery. He attended physical therapy sessions and surgeries in order to adapt to his new prosthetic legs. Joshua officially retired as a Corporal of Marines in August 2015.
He now hopes to become a gunsmith in his hometown. Joshua married his wife, Cara, on April 16, 2016. The two plan on beginning a family in the near future. The Gary Sinise Foundation is proud to provide a specially adapted smart home for the couple.