SALUTE TO SERVICE
STORY BY LIESEL SCHMIDT PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF HEENEY
HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS FUNDRAISER BENEFITTING MARINE CORPORAL KEVORK “KHACH” KHACHADURIAN
H
ops N Shine, locally owned by C.J. Cross, hosted a very special fundraiser event on July 18 for Homes for Our Troops. The event specifically focused on local Marine Corporal Kevork “Khach” Khachadurian, who was on a three-day mission as an infantry rifleman with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, in Sangin, Afghanistan. It was there he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) and immediately lost both his legs, several fingers on his left hand, as well as took damage to his left forearm. Now medically retired, Corporal Khachadurian keeps himself very busy. He is a Veterans support representative with the VA, he plays seated volleyball and is also on the USA Warriors Sled Hockey Team. He has stated that a specially-adapted custom home would be the foundation for the rest of his life and allow him to put more energy into furthering his career and helping other veterans.
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