Eutrusca
23-11-2005, 16:12
COMMENTARY: If you'd like to help this marvelous organization (http://saluteheroes.org/sah_contents/help/), just send them an email.
Disabled Vet Gets Surprise Gift (http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,81147,00.html?ESRC=eb.nl)
Atlanta Journal Constitution | November 23, 2005
As an Army truck driver who did two tours in Iraq, Staff Sgt. Tracy Jones was adept at getting out of tight spots. But war changes things.
Severe injuries left him in a 25-inch-wide wheelchair in a tiny apartment, with a hall only 36 inches wide.
"Life in the apartment has been really hectic and limited my movement," said Jones, who has very little range of motion in his arms and legs. "I can't really go down the hallway. I can't turn."
On Monday, that all changed --- courtesy of the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (http://saluteheroes.org/sah_contents/help/). Jones and his wife, Johnnie, were presented with the keys to a brand-new home in Palmetto, complete with wide halls and open spaces.
"I have never felt so much love," said Johnnie Jones, who broke down when given the keys. "I still can't believe this is happening."
Jones was injured in a freak accident while stationed at Camp Anaconda on Oct. 13, 2003. He was delivering supplies when his vehicle was broadsided by an Iraqi water tanker. After months of dodging bullets and land mines, it was a driver who ran a stop sign that changed Jones' life.
His neck was broken in three places in the accident, which he doesn't really remember. He was in the hospital until April 2004. Since then, he has been in intense physical and occupational therapy and has made significant progress. He is even using a walker in therapy and can stand briefly in a swimming pool.
Jones said that, while he was hospitalized and recuperating, he started hearing from the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (http://saluteheroes.org/sah_contents/help/). First it brought him a DVD player. Next it started asking questions. How was he doing? Were his bills being paid? Did he own a home? Then, he and his wife were invited to Disney World in Orlando.
"At the dinner they were giving people houses, and my wife and I were really excited about what they were doing for the people," Jones said. "Then they called my name. I was overwhelmed. So was my wife. I am getting a whole new beginning."
Mike Thompson, a spokesman for the coalition, said the group will give out five houses to injured veterans over the next few months. This year, the organization has given out more than $400,000 in emergency money to needy veterans, to pay their car payments or keep their lights on.
For the Jones home, which cost about $275,000, the coalition paid $200,000. The Veterans Administration will cover another $50,000, with the Joneses taking care of the rest.
"It is an incredible feeling to know that we could help someone," Thompson said. "There are so many veterans returning home who are wounded, and that is the untold story."
Thompson estimates that as many as 15,000 U.S. soldiers have returned from Iraq with at least a 30 percent disability.
The Joneses' new brick house, in a new development off Wilkerson Mill Road in Palmetto, is perfect for the couple. Builder Sean Doughtie said the specs of the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home were developed to accommodate Jones' needs.
All the doors are 3 feet wide, and all the electrical outlets are higher than the standard. The counters are lower, all the floors in the common areas are hardwood, and even the shower door is wide enough to steer his wheelchair into.
The couple will start moving in Monday.
Like any man going into his brand-new home, Jones has his eyes on the big upstairs room that he plans to convert into a game room.
"I'm going up those stairs," he said. "It is just a matter of time."
Disabled Vet Gets Surprise Gift (http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,81147,00.html?ESRC=eb.nl)
Atlanta Journal Constitution | November 23, 2005
As an Army truck driver who did two tours in Iraq, Staff Sgt. Tracy Jones was adept at getting out of tight spots. But war changes things.
Severe injuries left him in a 25-inch-wide wheelchair in a tiny apartment, with a hall only 36 inches wide.
"Life in the apartment has been really hectic and limited my movement," said Jones, who has very little range of motion in his arms and legs. "I can't really go down the hallway. I can't turn."
On Monday, that all changed --- courtesy of the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (http://saluteheroes.org/sah_contents/help/). Jones and his wife, Johnnie, were presented with the keys to a brand-new home in Palmetto, complete with wide halls and open spaces.
"I have never felt so much love," said Johnnie Jones, who broke down when given the keys. "I still can't believe this is happening."
Jones was injured in a freak accident while stationed at Camp Anaconda on Oct. 13, 2003. He was delivering supplies when his vehicle was broadsided by an Iraqi water tanker. After months of dodging bullets and land mines, it was a driver who ran a stop sign that changed Jones' life.
His neck was broken in three places in the accident, which he doesn't really remember. He was in the hospital until April 2004. Since then, he has been in intense physical and occupational therapy and has made significant progress. He is even using a walker in therapy and can stand briefly in a swimming pool.
Jones said that, while he was hospitalized and recuperating, he started hearing from the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (http://saluteheroes.org/sah_contents/help/). First it brought him a DVD player. Next it started asking questions. How was he doing? Were his bills being paid? Did he own a home? Then, he and his wife were invited to Disney World in Orlando.
"At the dinner they were giving people houses, and my wife and I were really excited about what they were doing for the people," Jones said. "Then they called my name. I was overwhelmed. So was my wife. I am getting a whole new beginning."
Mike Thompson, a spokesman for the coalition, said the group will give out five houses to injured veterans over the next few months. This year, the organization has given out more than $400,000 in emergency money to needy veterans, to pay their car payments or keep their lights on.
For the Jones home, which cost about $275,000, the coalition paid $200,000. The Veterans Administration will cover another $50,000, with the Joneses taking care of the rest.
"It is an incredible feeling to know that we could help someone," Thompson said. "There are so many veterans returning home who are wounded, and that is the untold story."
Thompson estimates that as many as 15,000 U.S. soldiers have returned from Iraq with at least a 30 percent disability.
The Joneses' new brick house, in a new development off Wilkerson Mill Road in Palmetto, is perfect for the couple. Builder Sean Doughtie said the specs of the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home were developed to accommodate Jones' needs.
All the doors are 3 feet wide, and all the electrical outlets are higher than the standard. The counters are lower, all the floors in the common areas are hardwood, and even the shower door is wide enough to steer his wheelchair into.
The couple will start moving in Monday.
Like any man going into his brand-new home, Jones has his eyes on the big upstairs room that he plans to convert into a game room.
"I'm going up those stairs," he said. "It is just a matter of time."