Across the country, soldiers who came home mangled from the wars in the Middle East are receiving mortgage-free homes as a small measure of gratitude and honor for their sacrifices.
In DeForest, Wisconsin, a medically-retired former Sergeant Tory Honda was recently given the keys to a new mortgage-free home. Walking through it alongside television cameras, he, his wife Marsela, and their kids were overwhelmed by the gesture.
They learned back in March that a coalition made up of Operation Finally Home, Tim O’Brien Homes, and the Structural Building Components Association had secured a new home for their family in the Bear Tree Farms area of DeForest.
“It means so much to me. Perspective? I can’t even put that into words. I’m just grateful, and I hope I deserve every bit of it. I feel like I don’t, but I really hope I do. I hope I can live up to the standards that everybody looks forward to,” he told Channel 3000, after cutting the ribbon in front of the house.
For an even more unfortunate soldier, retired Army Sergeant Shane Parsons, the gesture was even more grand.
Wheelchair-bound after losing both legs and suffering a traumatic brain injury, the Gary Sinise Foundation built a smart, 100% accessible home for the man, his wife Jennifer, and their two sons Owen and Emmett.
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“In the living situations we’ve had, he could only really live through 70 to 80% of the house, it was about as much as he could access,” said Jennifer, adding that this new home is all built specifically for him. “Even though he’s already a wonderful dad, it’s going to allow him to be more hands-on, be able to participate more where before he wasn’t able to.”
Located in central Ohio in Plain City, Shane says he’s looking forward to settling into a normal life.
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The Gary Sinise Foundation has provided 80 mortgage-free homes to veterans who have lost physical capacity in some form or another, and while the process isn’t fast, it’s certainly very rewarding.
“It’s surreal, I can’t believe I’m actually in my own home,” Parsons told WCMH. “I keep thinking that I’m in somebody else’s house.”
WATCH Former Sgt. Honda receive his house via Channel 3000…
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Gary Sinise Foundation
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/
is the only Charity I give to. It is an incredible association and their record is spotless. They do great work. Please add them to your list. thanks and, thanks, Gary.