We Give This U.S. Veteran a Backyard Built for Sharing
Published Date: Dec 7, 2023
Recently, the System Pavers crew in Texas got the chance to help a U.S. veteran injured while deployed in Afghanistan get the backyard of his dreams.
As the exclusive outdoor renovation partner for recent Texas episodes of the Military Makeover with Montel® show, System Pavers worked with Montel Williams and crew to turn U.S. veteran Carlos Colon-Ruiz’s backyard into a space he can share with friends and family for generations.
Military Makeover is an award-winning Lifetime Network series that seeks to repay the service members who risk it all by surprising them with top-to-bottom remodels that help them better enjoy their homes for years to come.
System Pavers’ Joe Kaufman and Chris Flansburg spent time on location in Arlington as the show was filming while crews worked tirelessly to complete renovations on a tight TV production schedule.
“At System Pavers, we salute Carlos and all active and retired military men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.” said Director of Operations Joe Kauffman. “As a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, I am extremely honored to be involved in the Military Makeover show and grateful for my colleagues at System Pavers who are committed to honoring veterans.”
Watch Joe with an exclusive System Pavers behind-the-scenes peek, here.
Meet Carlos Colon-Ruiz
Carlos was selected because of his dedication to serving his country and his family. Growing up in Puerto Rico and in a very poor neighborhood in South Chicago, Carlos was the first in his family to join the military and was excited to build a better, more economically stable life for his loved ones.
While in the Services, he was sent to the 101st ABN in Fort Campbell where he joined the famous unit from the HBO series “Band of Brothers” 1/506th INF when they were deployed to Ramadi, Iraq.
In 2008, Carlos was severely injured by a rocket-propelled grenade that exploded in his Humvee in Wardak, Afghanistan. Due to the explosion, he lost sight in one eye, lost two fingers with two others now paralyzed and he is hearing impaired.
Carlos was awarded a Purple Heart and received an Infantry Badge and Army Commendations Medal and he certainly hasn’t let his injuries slow him down.
This decorated veteran and father of three competes in Iron Man competitions and enjoys spending time with his friends and family.
Watch the Build & the Big Reveal
The System Pavers design and installation team created an inviting space where Carlos and his loved ones could spend quality time together on their new pergola-covered paver patio and around their cozy fire pit.
From this....
To THIS!
To view Carlos's reaction to his newly renovated home and backyard, tune into Lifetime Network’s Military Makeover with Montel Williams, right here.
Additional behind the scenes footage and photos can be found on our System Pavers social media accounts, including Instagram and Facebook. Episodes will be available streaming online as well. Simply search by the episode air dates below:
Military Makeover Episode 1: November 10, 2023
Military Makeover Episode 2: November 17, 2023
Military Makeover Episode 3: November 24, 2023
Military Makeover Episode 4: December 1, 2023
Military Makeover Episode 5 - The Big Reveal! - December 8, 2023
System Pavers couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to say thank you to the Colon-Ruiz family than by doing what we love to do best – creating gorgeous spaces that elevate outdoor living.
To learn more about our Military Makeover transformation, go here. If you'd like to learn more about how we can help transform your yard (and the way you enjoy it), connect now for a complimentary design consultation.
