Houston, Texas – Freedom Alliance, in partnership with U.S. Bank, is presenting U.S. Army Specialist Michael Villagran with a new, payment-free vehicle honoring his courageous service to the country. The presentation took place Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Helfman River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, located at 4807 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas.
Villagran grew up in the Chicago area and joined the U.S. Army after high school, driven by a desire to serve something larger than himself while continuing his education. An avid athlete, he completed Infantry Basic Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 2010 and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
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In February 2012, Villagran deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where his unit faced daily enemy fire. During a mission to reclaim a village police station from the Taliban, he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED), sustaining severe injuries to his foot and ankle. After multiple surgeries in Afghanistan, Germany, and the United States, he ultimately lost his right leg below the knee in 2016.
A father of three daughters, Villagran turned to adaptive sports during his recovery and has since excelled, competing in the Warrior Games and Invictus Games. He is currently a member of the U.S. National Para Skeleton Team, competing on the Para Skeleton Legacy Tour, and lives with his daughters in Houston, Texas.
“This vehicle represents more than transportation – it represents freedom, opportunity, and support for Michael and his daughters,” said Tom Kilgannon, president of Freedom Alliance. “We are grateful to stand with U.S. Bank in honoring Michael’s service and helping his family move forward.”
Freedom Alliance and U.S. Bank are committed to honoring service members for their dedication and personal sacrifice. U.S. Bank supports veterans and military family members through Proud to Serve, an employee-led business resource group that welcomes new veterans and encourages networking and story sharing among employees. The bank employs more than 2,000 veterans, including National Guard and Reserve members.
This vehicle donation marks U.S. Bank’s 101st payment-free vehicle donation since 2018 and the 64th in partnership with Freedom Alliance.