Tunnel to Towers Foundation Pays off Mortgage and Renovates Home for Injured Lansing Veteran

U.S. Army Sergeant Jeremy Ramirez was injured while serving in Iraq

LANSING, MICHIGAN [September 16, 2025] – In a private ceremony, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation welcomed U.S. Army Sergeant Jeremy Ramirez and his family back into their newly renovated home and announced the mortgage on his home had been paid in full.

“It’s a blessing. Tunnel to Towers not only paid off my mortgage, but made renovations to my home to make my life and my family’s life easier,” said SGT Ramirez. 

Growing up, SGT Ramirez decided to join the military because of role models in his life who served our country, and his decision was solidified when America was attacked 24 years ago. 

“When 9/11 happened, I felt a strong pull to enlist, and decided it was my purpose in life,” said SGT Ramirez. 

He enlisted in the Army in 2005 and loved the discipline, camaraderie, and being part of a team. While deployed to Iraq, his team was ambushed in Baghdad and hit by a 500 lb pressure plate IED. 

Four soldiers were killed, and SGT Ramirez and five others were injured in the massive blast. 

SGT Ramirez was left a partial paraplegic with metal hardware running up his back, right leg, ankle, and foot. He has shrapnel throughout his body and suffers from PTSD.

The Tunnel to Towers Smart Home Program builds specially-adapted, mortgage-free smart homes or renovates existing homes to help our most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders reclaim their day-to-day independence.

At his Lansing home, Tunnel to Towers installed a whole-house generator, new lights along exterior pathways, a new awning that had been damaged in a storm, and a new shed to store his electronic mobility scooter. 

The Foundation also installed smart home technology throughout the home, enabling the lights, thermostat, sound, and security system to be controlled remotely via an app. 

“Tunnel to Towers is amazing, they have made my home smart and have paid off our mortgage…The ease of finances has been a huge relief,” said SGT Ramirez, who added, “ I want people to know that I love my country and my family, and I would do it all over again, even knowing that I would be permanently injured because I was put on this earth to serve in the United States Army.” For more information and to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s mission to build smart homes for America’s heroes, visit T2T.org and consider donating just $11 per month.