Today The Bobby Bones Show's new patriotic line of PIMPINJOY went on sale with all proceeds going to Building Homes For Heroes. The line is going to help build a home through the organization for Army Staff Sergeant Ellis “Jerry” Majetich and his wife Mary-Ella. Staff Sergeant Majetich joined the military out of Kennewick, WA in 1988 because he wanted to better his life while serving and protecting his country. He served for 20 years, including a stint in the Marine Corps, before being honorably discharged in 2007.
Staff Sergeant Majetich was in psychological operations as a tactical team leader for 19.5 years of his time in the army. His job was to go out and talk to officials in the community to get the lay of the land and see how they were doing. Essentially they were there to win the hearts and minds, and work with local leaders. That job put a target on his back. The insurgency was not fond of him because of all the information he had, so a group of 8 insurgents targeted him while he was the 27th vehicle in a 69 vehicle convoy. He was hit with a roadside bomb - IED. Then was shot once in the right shoulder, and 3 times in the right leg. After the tragic incident, he was sent to Germany where he flatlined for 93 seconds. Once they had him stabilized, they flew him to San Antonio for the rest of his recovery. He has undergone 82 surgeries to date and is still going through recovery at Walter Reed Medical Center.
Majority of Staff Sergeant Majetich's surgeries now are related to his burns. They stretch from his arm down to his lower back. The whole point is to get him to a healthier place and where he can be more functional. They've attempted to put a lot of money into their home to make it more wheelchair accessible, however it's been difficult. Their bathroom isn't wheelchair accessible, so after surgeries they have to get hotels for 5 to 6 weeks at a time just so he can have a bathroom that's accessible. Needless to say this home Building Homes For Heroes will be building for them is much needed and beyond deserved. The couple would like to live in Jacksonville, Florida where the organization plans to build them a home.
For his service to his country, Staff Sergeant Majetich is the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (5th Award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Navy Marine Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (3rd Award), Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device (2nd Award), Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3rd Award), KU-LIB-MDL (Saudi Arabia), KU-LIB-MDL (Kuwait), Combat Action Badge, and the Expert Badge (Rifle, Pistol, Grenade).