Giving Thanks — and Homes — to Wounded Vets
Volunteers build new houses for military heroes who have sacrificed so much.
Operation: Coming Home is why hundreds of soldiers in uniform and civilians from the community were gathered on the red clay of a neighborhood under construction in Fuquay-Varina, NC, that October morning. Local builders, businesses, and volunteers donated the lot, labor, materials, fixtures, paint, trim, money, and furnishings to complete a custom-built, fully furnished home for the Bozik family.
An honor guard of Patriot Guard riders led the procession into the neighborhood, followed by a military band from Fort Bragg. When the Boziks emerged from the limousine, it was to the applause of those who had helped make this dream a reality, and those of us who would be their new neighbors.
The overflight of three Blackhawk helicopters in formation and their subsequent landing in the neighborhood was dramatic, the drill team’s precision performance thrilling, and the many speeches often quite touching. And when the Black Daggers Special Operations parachute team landed and the team leader presented the Boziks the keys to their new home, it was electric.
But just as powerful — at least in my eyes — is that while this community came together to build a home for the family of an American hero, it wasn’t a one-off affair.
The same people who served as soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen are already planning on building their next Hero’s Home for another injured veteran as a way of thanking them for their service. It may be that I get another extraordinary neighbor or neighbors. It may be that they build their next veteran’s home in another community in the Triangle. It could be that another group somewhere near you is charting a similar path, as is occurring across the country.
As we sit down with our loved ones this Thanksgiving, remember those who have made life-changing — and life-ending — sacrifices so that we may live in a free land with so much to be thankful for, and perhaps consider saying a prayer for those hometown heroes who do what they can to make sure those sacrifices are never forgotten.
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Bob Owens blogs at Confederate Yankee.
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3 Comments
1. Elaine:This is just one of the reasons I love this country and the many people who are blessed and able to give to our heroes for the sacrifices that we should never forget. The Bozik house is built in the city that I was born. I thank you for what you all have done for the Boziks. Great state, great community and great people.
Nov 27, 2008 - 2:55 pm 2. BMoon:I second that, Elaine.
I also appreciate PJM’s editors for the mentioning of the war vets, especialy the disabled ones on this day. They were on my mind all day long, and here at night, I open my favorite blog and there they are mentioned in several articles. LOVE IT, LOVE IT. It expresses the very heart of who we are as Americans – fighters for freedom, and compassionate to the core.
Nov 27, 2008 - 8:24 pm 3. rjbjrirish:This is just another example of why the USA is the greatest country in the history of our planet – our people.
Nov 28, 2008 - 9:47 am