On Saturday, November 18, 2023, the Beta Tau Chapter at Mississippi State University honored Army Sergeant Jeff Hemenger on the field during the football game. The chapter presented Sergeant Hemenger with an all-terrain track wheelchair so that he is able to continue to do what he loves such as ski-biking, sled hockey, and off-road hand-cycling.
Sergeant Hemenger served in the United States Army for twelve years from the year 2000 until 2012. On Dec. 3, 2007, while serving with the 1-75 Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division, Army Sergeant Jeff Hemenger was injured in a vehicle accident while on a raid in Baghdad, Iraq. As a result of the incident, SGT Hemenger severely injured his right foot and sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). After four years of undergoing limb salvage, his right leg was eventually amputated below the knee. Additionally, Jeffrey has lost some of his vision as a result of his brain injury.
The chapter raised $20,000 for The Independence Fund to procure and outfit the chair for Sergeant Hemenger.
To date, KA chapters across the nation have raised more than $1.2 million for The Independence Fund and have presented 26 all-terrain track wheelchairs to catastrophically wounded veterans.