Tunnel to Towers Foundation Pays Off Mortgage and Renovates Injured Army Veteran’s Home

U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Carlos Torres Jr. was injured while deployed to Afghanistan

HUNTERSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA [July 1, 2025] — In a private ceremony, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation welcomed Army Sergeant First Class Carlos Torres Jr. and his family into their renovated mortgage-free smart home in Huntersville, North Carolina. 

SFC Torres Jr. was inspired to join the military by his father and enlisted in 1996. 

He was honored with the Humanitarian Service Medal for his role in aiding communities during the Hurricane Sandy disaster. His leadership and dedication earned him a position as a recruiter, where he helped shape the future of the Army by inspiring others to serve.

During his deployment to Afghanistan, in April 2010, SFC Torres Jr. was injured when mortar blasts went off near his post.  He suffered a lower lumbar injury, cervical neck strain, a traumatic brain injury, blurred vision, and peripheral neuropathy in all extremities.  SFC Torres Jr. also suffers from PTSD. 

SFC Torres Jr. lives in the home with his wife and their teenage son.

“The support from Tunnel to Towers helped make my home more accessible and lifted a huge financial burden off my shoulders,” said SFC Torres Jr. “This gift allows me to continue to live my life with integrity, help others, and support my family.” 

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.

Some of the renovations to the Torres home include reconfiguring the bathroom and kitchen to make them more accessible and easier to maneuver around. A ramp was added to the front door, as well as an AC unit to the garage, where SFC Torres Jr. does his occupational therapy. All Tunnel to Towers smart homes are custom-fit with innovative technology, allowing the thermostat, lights, sound system, and security system to be controlled remotely via an app.  

“We are honored to help SFC Torres Jr. and his family by making their home more accessible for him and by giving them financial freedom. It’s been our promise to take care of every injured servicemember, and we are thrilled to be able to do this for the Torres family and pay homage to Carlos’ sacrifice and service,” said Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.