The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has provided flooring for its 63rd home in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment). The R.I.S.E. program builds mortgage-free, custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders. The home dedication for United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Stuart Dipaolo took place on July 14, in Vista, CA. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Mannington.
Sgt. Dipaolo entered the Marines in June 2004, two days after his high school graduation. After serving in Japan, he volunteered to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was stationed at Camp Taqaddam, Al Anbar Province. He was injured in 2015 during a training exercise at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California when his all-terrain vehicle lost control and rolled over onto him, breaking his neck, crushing his head, and breaking every bone in his face.