TEXTON & NICE Celebrate the 100th R.I.S.E. Smart Home: Honoring Wounded Veterans With Automated Shade Technology
At A Glance
Location
Clarksville, Tennessee
A Home Built on Gratitude
Every home dedication tells a story—but the Gary Sinise Foundation’s 100th specially adapted smart home is one for the history books. This milestone home was gifted to Retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Joe Bowser, a hero whose resilience and humility have inspired many.
Joe was severely wounded in Iraq in 2004 when a rocket attack cost him his leg. Despite his injury, he spent years powering through life without asking for help. In fact, when Gary Sinise first suggested building him a home through the Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment), Joe said, “Give it to somebody else.” It took nearly two decades—and a deep friendship—for him to finally accept the gift.
Gary Sinise, best known for his role as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump, has spent years turning that portrayal into a lifelong mission of service. “I’m sad there are so many people injured,” Sinise said at the dedication, “but I’m heartened the American people have chosen the Gary Sinise Foundation to support us so we can do something to give back.” For Sinise, this work began after meeting wounded veterans in the 1990s and grew into a foundation that has now built 100 mortgage-free, custom smart homes for America’s most severely wounded heroes.
Joe Bowser’s Smart Home
Joe’s new home in Tennessee is designed for accessibility and independence—every detail, from lowered cabinets to smart technology, ensures he can move freely and comfortably. The home features wide hallways, roll-under sinks, and zero-threshold showers, eliminating barriers and making daily life easier. Integrated smart systems allow Joe to control lighting, security, and climate with ease, while custom adaptations like accessible storage and lowered counters provide convenience and autonomy. “It’s a new chapter in our life,” Joe shared. “To have a brand-new home and be mortgage-free, it’s like winning the lottery. You’ve built more than walls. You’ve built hope and independence.”
TEXTON is honored to contribute motorized roller shades to this home, marking our fourth donation to the Gary Sinise Foundation’s mission. These shades were automated in partnership with NICE Group, ensuring effortless control and integration with the home’s smart technology. While window treatments may seem small, they help create a space that feels complete—offering privacy, light control, and comfort for a hero who deserves the very best.
Smart Shading that puts the Homeowner First
Every TEXTON product starts with understanding how people live in their spaces. Veterans in the R.I.S.E. program often face mobility limitations, sensitivity to light, or the need for precise environmental control. Automated shades play a major role in that comfort—reducing glare, improving privacy, managing temperature, and enhancing security.
Our COLOR Roller Shades give designers and homeowners the freedom to match any aesthetic while delivering the durability and performance required for fully automated homes. From bold hues to calming neutrals, COLOR Shades offer unlimited design potential paired with the precision that luxury homes demand.
Design Freedom Meets Smart Technology
By pairing TEXTON’s fully customizable COLOR Roller Shades with NICE’s advanced motorization and ElanOS, we bring together beauty and intelligence in every room. Designers have the creative freedom to coordinate exact colors, textures, and fabrics—while integrators gain a robust, unified automation system they can depend on.
The result is a home that doesn’t just look incredible; it works beautifully.
Explore The Foundation
Learn more about the Gary Sinise Foundation and how you can support their incredible work at garysinisefoundation.org
