Greetings!
Local 5's A LIFT FOR A VET recently completed our long planned project for Nick Staback. It was a pleasure and an honor to spend time with Nick.
Nick Staback graduated from Valley View HS in PA in June 2009 and enlisted in the Army in March 2010 choosing Infantry as his MOS (MilitaryOccupation Skill). He completed his basic training at Fort Benning GA and was then stationed to Ft. Wainwright Alaska where he was selected to be on the Sniper team. His Unit was deployed to the Kandhar Province in Afghanistan in April 2011. Nick served as RTO for his Company Commander in the Dand District and in May 2011 he was awarded the combat infantry Badge for engaging the enemy.
His Company pushed west into Panjwai and was assigned the task of building a new COP (Combat Outpost). Six months into his assignment on October 11, 2011 SPC Nick Staback was on a dismounted patrol in Panjwai when he stepped on an IED resulting in a double amputation of his legs, both above the knees, and severely injuring his right arm. He was flown to Walter Reed National Naval Medical Center where he underwent many surgeries to clean debris from his remaining limbs and repair his wounds. After two months of surgeries the long journey of rehabilitation began and continued as an outpatient at Walter Reed.
Nick plans to do an internship with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and would like to eventually like to be in the private security sector and to also return to his passion of hunting and fishing.
A LIFT FOR A VET received a letter from Nick's dad, Ed Staback, who had learned about our organization through a friend's encounter with A LIFT FOR A VET volunteer who was at Homes for Our Troops build Brigade for SSG Earl Granville. Ed Staback told us about his son and explained that since their home was not wheelchair accessible it was difficult for Nick to have the independence and convenience of normal living. Ed and his wife Maria built a one bedroom apartment above their three car garage for Nick and asked if A LIFT FOR A VET would install a wheelchair lift that would take Nick from the garage to his apartment. We enthusiastically said yes. Nick deserves to lead an independent life and we made it happen with your help.
Nick's wheelchair lift was installed by volunteers from Philadelphia Local 5 Elevator Constructors with the assistance of A LIFT FOR A VET partner, Allied Elevator, Pennsauken, NJ.
The purchase, installation and maintenance of the system A LIFT FOR A VET installs and maintains is free of charge to the Veteran. A LIFT FOR A VET relies solely on donations to fund our efforts.
Click link to view pictures from the recent installation.
