Mullican Flooring Provides New Floors for Wounded Veteran

The company partnered with the Gary Sinise Foundation to outfit the home of a retired Navy commander injured in a 2021 plane crash.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Mullican Flooring, a leading manufacturer of wood flooring products, has provided new flooring for the specially adapted smart home of U.S. Navy Commander Robert Ballard, a severely wounded military veteran who retired after a 20-year career in naval aviation that included multiple deployments to the Middle East. Ballard was permanently injured in a 2021 plane crash while working as a professional flight instructor.

Why it matters

The Gary Sinise Foundation's R.I.S.E. program builds specially adapted homes and provides other assistance to the nation's most severely wounded, injured or ill military members, veterans and first responders. Mullican Flooring's donation helps make daily life easier for Commander Ballard and his family in their new home.

The details

Mullican Flooring provided the wood flooring for Commander Ballard's new home through its partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation. In addition to serving his country, Ballard reportedly saved the life of a student who was with him during the 2021 plane crash, despite his own severe injuries that left him paralyzed.

  • Ballard retired from a 20-year military career in naval aviation in 2021.
  • Ballard was permanently injured in a plane crash while working as a flight instructor in 2021.

The players

Robert Ballard

A U.S. Navy Commander who retired after a 20-year military career in naval aviation, including multiple deployments to the Middle East. He was permanently injured in a 2021 plane crash while working as a professional flight instructor.

Mullican Flooring

A leading manufacturer of wood flooring products that provided new flooring for Commander Ballard's specially adapted smart home through a partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Gary Sinise Foundation

A nonprofit organization that serves U.S. defenders, veterans, first responders and their families through a variety of programs, including the R.I.S.E. program that builds specially adapted homes for the nation's most severely wounded, injured or ill military members, veterans and first responders.

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What they’re saying

“We are greatly honored to contribute beautiful, high-quality wood flooring to Commander Ballard's home, and partner with the National Wood Flooring Association in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E Program.”

— Pat Oakley, President of Mullican Flooring

“In addition to serving his country both here and abroad, he saved the life of the student who was with him when their plane crashed, despite his own severe injuries – including paralysis. We hope that this new home will make daily life easier for him, and that he and his family will receive a great deal of enjoyment from it for many years to come.”

— Pat Oakley, President of Mullican Flooring

What’s next

This was the 97th home built and dedicated by the Gary Sinise Foundation and the 82nd home for which the National Wood Flooring Association has provided flooring in support of the foundation.

The takeaway

Mullican Flooring's donation of new wood flooring for Commander Ballard's specially adapted smart home is a meaningful contribution that will improve the quality of life for this severely wounded veteran and his family, demonstrating the power of public-private partnerships to support America's heroes.