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Operation Dream Makeover, a Remodeled Home to say Thank You
3/27/2008

Last fall Operation Dream Makeover was launched when the Builders Association of the Twin Cities’ Remodelers Showcase^SM in conjunction with its charitable arm, the Builders Outreach?Foundation were introduced to Kyle Anderson, a heroic Marine who was injured fighting in Iraq. Over the winter, well over a hundred companies and individuals joined forces to remodel Kyle’s home to make it more comfortable and functional for his needs today and into the future. Now, the completed remodeling project will be open to tour as one of two Dream Remodeled Homes during the Spring 2008?Remodelers Showcase^SM. Dream Remodeled?Homes require a $5.00 donation to the Builders Outreach?Foundation at the door.

Since November, many, many members of the Builders Association and its Remodelers Council have volunteered to make this project happen, often working late into the night and over many a weekend. The remodeling itself has gone very well, especially considering the extra coordination needed to schedule such a myriad of volunteers.

Now that Kyle’s home is nearing completion, all of those who participated are pleased to invite the public to help celebrate a new chapter in Kyle’s life. For over three years Kyle and his family have been almost totally absorbed in his care and rehabilitation. With the renovation complete, our hope is that Kyle will now enjoy a more comfortable environment that allows him to invite friends to visit, that has a porch where he can watch the softball game at the park across the street, and a private bedroom suite where he can recharge after a grueling day in speech or physical therapy.

Kyle Anderson, A True Hero

Strength, courage, perseverance, and an indomitable spirit are just a few adjectives to describe Kyle Anderson. He is a young man who, just a few short years ago, had a future that anyone would envy. As a child, Kyle was always on the go. He loved sports and discovered he excelled at wrestling after his big brother Matt took up the sport and needed a practice partner. He entered and won the National Iron Man championship in Oklahoma when he was just 16. Kyle made varsity wrestling in the eighth grade, and entered the Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament for five consecutive years, capping his high school career by dominating his 160-pound-weight class and winning the State title in 2003.

Back then it was apparent Kyle had the ability, the drive, and the heart of a champion. “Kyle came to me after a disappointing state tournament performance in 2002 and said, ‘Coach, I have to win it next year, what do I need to do?’” explains Simley wrestling coach, Will Short. “Kyle and I sat down and developed a plan that I believed if he followed, he would win the state tournament. Kyle never missed a workout that was scheduled on that plan, and at the end of his senior season in 2003, became a state champion with a 48-2 record.”

With a number of colleges in hot pursuit offering full scholarships, Kyle carefully considered his options and chose, instead, to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps by serving in the Marines. He was struck by the Marine tradition of honor and duty, and wanted to test himself by joining the best of the best. Kyle finished boot camp at Camp Pendleton in San Diego with highest honors as best shooter and company honor man, which he repeated at the Battalion level.

With so many honors and plenty of opportunity within the Corps., Kyle’s choice was to serve at the front, and was deployed to Iraq in May of 2004. Just one week before the event that would change his life, Kyle displayed once again that he was truly a champion by saving the life of a fellow Marine coming under heavy enemy fire. Risking his own life, he pulled his gravely injured comrade to safety.

On October 13, 2004, Kyle’s patrol was returning to base and, as usual, he was the first one out of his humvee just as an RPG struck. The blast sent shrapnel through his helmet, crushing his skull. His doctor in Baghdad told his parents that he could tell immediately that Kyle was a fighter, and that most people would not have survived that first week. He was evacuated through Germany to Bethesda, Maryland where he spent over a month, facing many life-threatening surgeries and procedures, all the while in a coma. He was flown back to the Minnesota Veterans?Administration Hospital in early December where he began intensive therapy and endured additional operations. It wasn’t until January that he was considered fully out of the coma.

In early December 2005, Kyle was finally released from the hospital. His injury caused considerable loss of movement on his right side and has gravely affected his speech center. Despite his devastating injuries, he continually strives to be the best he can be and takes every day one step at a time. He has been working hard to re-learn speech, currently up to about 30 words. And with the same strength of purpose that made him a wrestling champ, he endures the intense physical therapy that is helping him regain some control of his right side.

Today, Kyle won’t have any sympathy. He has a tremendous attitude, caring more about others than himself. He can communicate with gestures and has an infectious smile that will win your heart, like he has everyone who has met him. We are very honored to be a part of helping make his life a little easier.

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