PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER
Volunteer Spotlight: Bill Kleinedler
Portsmouth, VA
In his 40-some years, Bill Kleinedler has been a lot of things—architectural engineer, retailer, soldier. One thing he’s always been is an artist. So when the blast from an IED in Iraq severely burned his face, arms and hands, leaving him unable even to grasp a pencil, he might have sunken into despair. But he didn’t. “It was difficult,” he concedes. “Not devastating.
The “Salty Dawgs” motorcycle riding club presented the house with a donation of more than $6,000 in early July. The “Dawgs” are made up of active-duty and retired service members, as well as veterans who have left the Navy under honorable conditions. This is the fourth year they have donated to the house.
MADIGAN ARMY MEDICAL CENTER
“Art doesn’t come from your hands,” he explains, “It comes from your heart. If I was not able to rehabilitate my right hand, I probably would have learned to draw with my left hand. Or use my toes.” Through the course of six surgeries though, Kleinedler did regain the use of his hand, and immediately returned to his artwork. “The first piece I did was called ‘Inspiration,’” he says. “I was very grateful for being alive, for all the beautiful things around me.” Soon he produced a 19-foot steel sculpture entitled “Hope,” which now graces the Warrior Family Support Center at Fort Sam Houston.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA The 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Chapter 16 of the Special Forces Association hosted a Father’s Day barbecue. Though the day was typically gloomy and gray, spirits were lively as families feasted on fare of hamburgers and hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad and more. Gifts included Weird Washington books signed by the authors and $50 Wal-Mart gift cards courtesy of Soldiers’ Angels.
Kleinedler’s gratitude extends to Fisher Houses as well, where he and his family have spent many months over the past three years. After moving to Massachusetts, he learned of efforts to build a Fisher House there, and quickly became the project’s number-one supporter.
PUGET SOUND VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Seattle, WA On June 10th a Healing Garden was dedicated at the house. Students from the University of Washington Landscape Architecture Design/Build program designed and installed the beautiful garden, creating an oasis for guests to relax, refresh and restore. Features of the garden include an open-air pavilion, seating and edible plantings.
LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER Landstuhl, Germany As part of the staff appreciation day on June 29th, Fisher House Foundation treated more than 1,000 care providers at the military’s only major medical center outside the U.S. to ice cream sundaes. The servers all came from the Baskin Robbins store in the new Ramstein Air Base Base Exchange Food Court.
Top: Bill Kleinedler’s sculpture “Hope” graces the fireplace of the Warrior Family Support Center at Fort Sam Houston. Kleinedler donated the piece to lift the spirits of warriors and their families undergoing hardship. Above: Jenny and Bill Kleinedler were married this past July. Below: Staff Sgt. Bill Kleinedler served in a civil affairs unit in Iraq.
“Bill has done so much,” says the house’s manager, Elizabeth St. Pierre. “His firsthand account is such a compelling illustration of the need—I can’t say how valuable it’s been for us to have him here locally.” Kleinedler has appeared on TV shows, spoken at fundraisers, was even honored by the Boston Celtics—each time bringing much needed publicity for the Fisher House project. He’s also donated artwork to auction. Kleinedler brushes aside the praise. “It’s just a small thing, just me saying thank you back,” he says. “Without Fisher House, I couldn’t have been in the mental place I am now. I would hate for a wounded warrior coming from overseas not to have that available to them.”
THE PATRIOT • SUMMER/FALL 2010
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