Community Builds Home For Injured Soldier

Soldier Recovers From Burns Affecting 60 Percent Of Body

Reported By Cara Kumari

POSTED: 4:59 pm CDT June 20, 2008

UPDATED: 9:49 pm CDT June 20, 2008

KINGSTON SPRINGS, Tenn. -- Work is progressing on a home the entire community of Kingston Springs has helped build for a soldier severely burned in Iraq.

Video: Sprinklers To Be Installed In Home For Injured Soldier

Kevin Downs' story of recovery has touched thousands and when it's complete his new house will include something that could keep him safe here at home.

The Harpeth High School graduate signed up to join the Tennessee National Guard when he was 17 years old.

Two years later, Downs was serving in Iraq when a roadside bomb explosion burned 60 percent of his body and resulted in the amputation of his legs in 2005.

Three guardsmen died in the explosion. Fifty-one surgeries have kept Downs in the hospital for two years.

Beam by beam, bolt by bolt, every day his new home is a little closer to complete.

"If it was me and it happened, I probably would have given up a long time ago, but Kevin's still got that fight," said father Joe Downs.

Kevin is currently in Texas recovering and learning how to live on his own. When he returns to Tennessee, he will eventually have the new house to himself.

The home will come fully equipped with 20 sprinklers. The time and the materials have all been donated.

"In this case, it's especially important because Kevin being a veteran and being disabled he needs a way of being protected. If he can't get out of the house fast enough in a fire situation the sprinkler will protect him," said volunteer Dennis Phillips.

The sprinklers are a small measure that will provide Kevin's parents with a sense of relief.

"It's kind of hard for him he needs to be warned in some way, so hopefully the sprinkler system will help him," said Joe Downs.

Even though Kevin is hundreds of miles away, he still feels pride and ownership in the home.

"I sent him a picture one day and he said, 'Oh somebody mowed the grass, and it's not dirty around there, everything's picked up,' so he's taken notice of it,'" said Joe Downs.

Kevin's father is hoping the house will be done this fall.

He wants people to see this house and know it is proof that people can come together and help each other when times get tough.

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