A disabled US Army veteran and his family will have warmer winters and cooler summers in Texas from now on, thanks to Johns Manville’s participation in a national home renovation television program.
Military Makeover with Montel® Williams reached out to the Johns Manville Insulation Systems marketing team to invite JM to serve as an insulation partner in renovating a military veteran’s home, an opportunity the team jumped at, said Molly Morrow, associate marketing manager.
Carlos Colón-Ruiz, a 43-year-old veteran in Arlington, Texas, who is a single father, needed an insulation update for his 20-year-old home, among other repairs. While the home had adequate wall insulation, the attic needed to be brought up to code, and JM stepped in to help. Insulation was also installed above the garage.
“Most people think about the extreme heat in Texas summers, but often forget that parts of the state, including the Dallas area, can experience extreme cold in the winter as well,” Molly said. “With these insulation upgrades, the Colon-Ruiz family should stay comfortable year-round.”
Puerto Rico-born Carlos Colón-Ruiz moved to the continental U.S. with the goal of serving in the United States military, eventually becoming part of the 1/506th INF – one of the most recognized units in the United States due to its popularity in the HBO series, “Band of Brothers.”
During a tour of duty in Afghanistan, a rocket-propelled grenade exploded in his Humvee, which caused him to suffer several serious injuries. His injuries include loss of sight in one eye, hearing impairment, loss of two fingers and two paralyzed fingers. Colón-Ruiz is also completely deaf in his left ear while his right ear is only 50 percent functional. He was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart medal, which is presented to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. military.
Johns Manville Dallas Territory Manager Pete Wenger was instrumental in the process, ensuring the home’s need for insulation and meeting with the Ruiz family and discussing the home’s insulation needs.
Mr. Roger Spataro offers a unique perspective on home improvement content, combining his writing skills with hands-on construction experience. Hailing from Chicago, Spataro began his career in the building construction industry after earning a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He transitioned into writing, initially creating technical manuals and guides for construction professionals, allowing him to share his practical knowledge through the written word.