Modern War Heroes » housing

A Home For A Hero

admin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:37:48 +0000

WORTHINGTON, Mass. (WWLP) – A local Iraq veteran will soon have a new place to call home thanks to hundreds of volunteers.

Army Sgt. Peter Rooney lost both legs while on duty in Iraq two years ago when his truck hit a roadside bomb. From that moment he knew his life would never be the same.

“While we were in Walter Reed we were dreading the idea of coming back home and scouring the area for a handicap accessible apartment,” Sgt. Rooney said.

Thanks to Homes for our Troops he won’t have too. In six months Sgt. Rooney and his wife be the owner of a beautiful home in Worthington. The $275,000 home is free of charge.

The money is donated by those in the community. All the building supplies come from the pocket of complete strangers who were touched by the story of an American soldier.

Kent Hicks, a local contractor, saw an ad in the paper asking for volunteers. He called the listed number and weeks later he became the general contractor for the project. Every week he spends over 20 hours at the site.

“You just make the time,” Hicks said. “Everyone feels that way.”

Sgt. Rooney was deeply moved Friday as he watched the volunteers build his home board by board.

“I’m grateful. I just want to say thank you for everybody, “Sgt. Rooney said. “I know that I was the only one wearing a uniform but these people are definitely the heroes.” (source)

Truly fantastic. It is always heartwarming to hear of a person’s community banding together to help them out. And this man really deserved it. I can’t imagine losing both of my legs and being faced with the everyday challenge that the injuries bring. These people were able to bring a little peace of mind to this brave veteran.

Wounded GI Helped By Volunteers

admin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:39:56 +0000

WEATHERFORD — First, Army Spc. Brett Wolf was treated to the ride of his life.

Driver Tony Stewart took the avid NASCAR fan for a spin around the track Tuesday during Stewart’s “Smoke Show” at Texas Motor Speedway. For Wolf, who was severely wounded when his minesweeper struck a bomb in Iraq, it was a chance to meet a hero of his. For Stewart, it was a similar feeling.

“[Stewart] said, ‘I don’t understand why people think I’m a hero,’ ” TMS spokesman Mike Rizzo said. “He goes, ‘Brett’s the hero.’ ”

But Wednesday topped even that experience. More than 100 volunteers and workers began construction on a home for Wolf, 25, and his wife, Kelly, about 13 miles northwest of Weatherford as a part of the Homes for Our Troops program. Wolf suffered severe arm and face injuries and his legs were amputated above the knee after the Sept. 11, 2007, blast.

The Wolfs arrived at the site in a TMS pace car escorted by motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard Riders. After an hour and a half, wall frames were already up.

Wolf found it hard to put his feelings into words.

“It’s a dream come true,” Wolf said. “It’s overwhelming, all these people helping, and they already had the walls up. It’s crazy.”

Since suffering his injuries, Wolf has been in military hospitals and rehabilitation centers from Washington, D.C., to San Antonio for almost two years.

“We didn’t know what we were going to do. We didn’t have the money to buy an accessible house,” said Kelly Wolf, who put school on hold to take care of her husband. “It’s amazing now, knowing that we have this.”

By the time he is released from physical therapy in about six months, his new home will be ready. Sandlin Custom Homes is building the house using largely donated materials — everything from the lumber to the lighting.

“We’ve been scrambling, trying to get everyone together, but it just seems like the whole community, from our suppliers to our employees, have come out in full force,” Scott Sandlin of Sandlin Homes said. “It’s wonderful to give something to someone who has given so much for our country.” Read on…

This is really wonderful that this brave veteran could have his community reach out to him like this. We all really should find ways to show our appreciation to our men and women in uniform. I know it means a lot to them.

Texas Veterans Get a Break

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:42:02 +0000

HOUSTON — Under a new Texas law, some disabled veterans will no longer have to pay taxes on their homes while others will have to fork over less money in property taxes.

The law, signed by Gov. Rick Perry in June, took effect immediately and is retroactive to Jan. 1.

The law allows disabled veterans to qualify for complete exemption if the Department of Veterans Affairs determines they are unable to work or are receiving 100 percent disability compensation due to their military service. Veterans with disability ratings of 30 percent, 50 percent or 70 percent will have different levels of exemption. Read on…

This is really fabulous. Our veterans really deserve to get a break. After being disabled in a war, life back home is difficult. And when you are living off of disability, it’s even harder. The article mentions that many states do offer some form of tax exemption to veterans, but here’s hoping that all states will start implementing veteran tax breaks.

Bill to Help Our Veterans

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:33:17 +0000

Senator Brian X. Foley is a big proponent of a bill that would help our veterans and their spouses in today’s shaky housing market. This bill would give Suffolk County, NY government the power to waive interest payments, penalties, and fees owed on foreclosures. This bill isn’t signed yet, but hopefully Gov. David Paterson can find it in his heart to pass this one.

Foley is also pushing for a similar bill that would include the entire state. This bill would certainly be a godsend for many military families. Our soldiers put their lives on the line everyday they are in the field, and it certainly seem like the government back home could show their appreciation more. This bill would be one good way to do that. If only we could get this legislation to cover all of the US, and not just Suffolk County or only the State of New York.

Read here for more information on this new bill.