Wounded El Paso Soldier Gets New Home
On Friday morning, there was just an empty concrete slab in Horizon City.
But thanks to dozens of volunteers and local businesses, that slab is now on it’s way to becoming a home for a local wounded soldier.
Homes For Our Troops, which is organizing the event, is a nonprofit organization that builds homes for severely wounded veterans across the country.
Local home builders and volunteers said it’s not about the war, it’s about helping someone who gave up so much to serve his country.
“We’re really just trying to pioneer the attitude of giving back to the guys. Whether you’re for or against the war, it’s all of our No. 1 duty to come out and help the wounded that are coming back because there are just so many of them,” said construction manager Ryan Gugliotta.
The home is being built El Paso native and Army Spec. Adrian Garcia. 23-year-old Garcia lost both his legs in an rocket-propelled grenade attack while serving in Iraq.
His house was not fully wheelchair accessible and kept him from living an independent life. His new home has everything he needs to take care of himself. It will allow him to cook, clean and enjoy the simple things many of us take for granted.
“To know that I’m not going to have not one challenge in my home, that’s just amazing,” said Garcia.
Like many heroes, his humble spirit shines, even after all he has been through.
“I don’t deserve any of it. Like I said, it’s my job, and I love my country, and I would do it all again,” Garcia said.
Each one of the volunteers that came to build him a better life said they feel he deserves every nail and every brick.
Gugliotta said he was encouraged by the dozens of people that turned out to help.
“We’re just the mere orchestra of this you know, to have this many people come out it’s honestly one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life.”
The home still needs more volunteers and donations, including cabinets and interior work.
If you’d like to help, visit the Homes For Our Troops website for more information or email Ryan Gugliotta at rgugliotta@homesforourtroops.org.
