Jeremy Haynes

A native of Albany, Georgia, Jeremy Haynes decided to join the military after watching the horrific events unfold on September 11, 2001. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant from Georgia Military Academy into the Quartermaster Corp in 2004, Jeremy has served in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 82nd Airborne Division, American Red Cross-National Headquarters (Training with Industry), Army Logistics University, and the Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan. He also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

On August 5, 2014, while serving as an aide-de-camp to a General Officer, Jeremy was shot four times by an Afghanistan soldier. The life-threatening wounds resulted in immediate paralysis below his waist, a severed vena cava, and multiple right leg limb salvage surgeries. He was evacuated to Walter Reed National Medical Center where he was greeted by his 3-month pregnant wife.

Although Jeremy's doctor informed him that fragments of the bullet would forever remain in his spinal cord, 80% of the nerves in Jeremy's lower extremities were severed. To further the anguish, the doctor informed Jeremy that he would never walk again, much less be able to stand. Through the support of family and friends, Jeremy managed to stand and walk short distances with the use of leg braces and canes.

"The Gary Sinise Foundation is a pillar in communities across America. From empowering our Nation's heroes to reclaim normalcy, to promoting independence amongst our most critically injured service members and first responders. By delivering essential services to our military, its veterans, first responders, and their families, GSF’s mission fuels positive mental, economic, and physical change in the lives of so many of our Nation's heroes."

– Jeremy Haynes