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Cadets step up to help soldier from Eagle wounded in Iraq

EAGLE -- A group of approximately 30 Challenge Academy cadets will travel to Eagle Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 to pitch in and help build a home for an Academy alumnus wounded in Iraq.

Spc. Jason M. Schulz graduated from the Challenge Academy, a no-cost alternative program for "at-risk" youth located at Fort McCoy, in June 2004.

The Academy offers high school dropouts or habitual truants a chance to earn their High School Equivalency Diploma, learn essential job and life-coping skills and, most importantly, develop the strength of character to become responsible citizens.

Schulz went on to join the active Army in July 2004 and later deployed to Iraq. While returning from a vehicle recovery mission in Mosul, Iraq in November of 2007, the salvage and recovery wrecker he was in was struck by a roadside bomb, resulting in the loss of both legs.

Homes for Our Troops, a non-profit organization that builds specially adapted handicap accessible homes for severely injured veterans, is providing Schulz with a home designed to accommodate his abilities.

Community service is one of eight components Challenge Academy cadets focus on. While giving back to the community is rewarding, helping a graduated cadet will have added value and meaning for the Academy volunteers.

More information on Schulz and the Homes for Our Troops project is available at Homes for Our Troops.