Our 2026 Showers for Heroes Recipient: Navy Military Hero Thomas Felten
Thomas Felten spent most of his life selflessly caring for others. This year, his family made sure someone cared for him.
We’re honored to announce Thomas as our 2026 Showers for Heroes military hero recipient. As someone who is not a fan of asking for help or attention, his family had to nominate him because he never would’ve raised his hand himself. We are thankful for him allowing ABC15 and FOX 10 news into his Scottsdale home. Here's his story and how you can help with the join USA Showers mission of helping the next Military hero for a new shower remodel.
Meet Tom Felten: A Sailor, a Legionnaire, and a Patriot Guard Rider
Thomas joined the Navy in 1958, while he was still in high school. A friend pulled him toward a recruiter who had come to the school, and the two of them signed up together. Two years later, he went active and served five years as a welder and shipfitter.
Leaving the service didn’t mean leaving service behind. Thomas went on to spend decades with the American Legion, and he rode with the Patriot Guard Riders, escorting fallen military heroes on their final journey on more than 80 occasions.
That’s the pattern with Thomas. He shows up for other people. His daughters put it plainly to ABC15: He’s the kind of man who will “trip over you to go help someone.”
The Most Dangerous Part of His Day Became Getting Into the Shower
At home, Thomas had the original dated bathtub with an 18-inch wall to step over. Every single day, twice a day, he was lifting a leg over that wall on a wet surface.
To steady himself, he reached for the towel bar. Towel bars are held to the wall with screws driven into drywall; they’re designed to hold a towel, not a persons weight, and they can dangerously come out of the wall when someone puts real stress on them.
His family knew. They also knew Thomas would never ask anyone to fix it. So, one of his daughters submitted his name to USA Showers program, Showers for Heroes.
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If you are reading this and someone just came to mind, that is exactly how Thomas got here.
What We Installed
Our in-house team removed the high-step tub and replaced it with a low-threshold walk-in shower with a 2 ¾-inch entry. That’s the difference between climbing over an obstacle and simply stepping in.
We also installed grab bars anchored into solid backing behind the wall, not drywall screws. When Thomas reaches for a bar now, it holds.
Everyone deserves to feel safe when they shower. Thomas earned that a long time ago.
Watch Thomas's Story
ABC15 Arizona sent a crew to the shower reveal and let Thomas describe how he was feeling in his own words. FOX 10 Phoenix covered the project as well.
Read the full ABC15 Arizona and FOX 10 Phoenix stories.
How Showers for Heroes Works
Showers for Heroes is a part of the USA Showers CARES program. It's a community initiative project that provides complimentary shower remodels for military heroes in the Phoenix area who could use one. The nomination comes from the community, and USA Showers, with the help every shower or bath installed, covers the cost.
Here's the part most people don't realize: This program is funded by the work we do in Phoenix-area homes. Our founder and CEO, Chris Hermes, put it on the record with ABC15: USA Showers dedicates a portion of every job to funding these installations.
So, if you've had us in your home, you're already part of this. Thomas's shower exists partly because of your remodel.
Know a Military Hero Whose Bathroom Has Become a Safety Risk?
Thomas's family did something simple. They looked at a problem he was never going to name, and they named it for him.
Many veterans are in the same position right now. They’ve spent their lives putting other people first, and asking for help, even practical help they clearly need, doesn’t come naturally. Waiting for them to ask is usually waiting for a fall.
If you know a military hero in the Phoenix area whose tub or shower has become unsafe, put their name in. It only takes a few minutes to ensure the safety of your loved one.
Refer a Friend and Fund the Next Shower
Every remodel we complete moves us toward the next Showers for Heroes install.
Our referral program runs through Get The Referral, so there’s nothing to keep track of on your end. Here’s how it works:
- Share Your Link: Text it, email it, or send it to anyone who has been talking about redoing their bathroom.
- We Take It From There: The platform tracks the referral and shows you where it stands.
- Get Your Reward: Once your referral moves forward, your reward is issued through the platform.
More referrals mean more installs. More installs mean more military heroes like Thomas get a shower they can use safely.
Join Our Mission
Thomas Felten spent 60 years showing up for other people, and it took his loving family to show him the safety of a USA Shower and how much peace of mind it can bring.
There’s another Thomas out there right now, somewhere in the Valley, stepping over a tub wall and grabbing a towel bar. If you know who he is, tell us.