What a busy month! Pam and I volunteered to be on the build brigade for Homes For Our Troops and signed up for both Kenny Lyons’ home and Jude Recendez’s home. In between these builds, my oldest son, Aric graduated from boot camp, so we traveled down to Parris Island and brought our new Marine home. Now we’re gearing up for Jude’s build, which starts this Friday, and so far, we’ve had quite a fun rollercoaster ride!
Alex with his big brother, Aric, our new Marine!
Kate and Pam - build brigade volunteers
I’ve heard of Homes For Our Troops but didn’t really get involved until a friend of mine, Leah Roehl, sent me an email introducing me to one of the key volunteers, Marcus. From that moment on, I was fully engaged. I wanted to wield a hammer and get dirty, yes in-deedy! But at the first meeting, we were informed that Atlantic Builders had all the tradesmen and contractors necessary for the build. I wasn’t disappointed. After attending the first meeting, I saw opportunities to help in other ways. Get food donations (something I’m not really good at, but did succeed in getting some BBQ for one dinner), get some flags for the ceremonies, find the right dining room table and chairs, line up painters, etc. The effort to build Kenny’s home in three days was amazing. There was a lot of prep work and follow up tasks to be completed afterwards, and it was truly a team effort. Volunteers came from near and far. Some knew Kenny; some just heard about it and pitched in where and when they could. All told, there were about 800 volunteers converging on the tiny little neighborhood.
Fellow Marines helping build Kenny's home
Some of the volunteers, and my newest friends, are members of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Fredericksburg Chapter. What a great bunch of ladies! Others were fellow Marines who did not personally know Kenny, but there is a brotherhood among Marines and they always have each other’s back. Then there were the Key Volunteers. Gina, Marcus, Steve and Kelly -individuals who not just volunteered their time with the build, but became the direct connection between Homes For Our Troops and the rest of us volunteers. They chose to be Key Volunteers for one reason or another, but I fully give my thanks to them for herding all us cats while at the same time coordinating between Atlantic Builders, Homes For Our Troops, and the local businesses who contributed time, products, food, or services.
Just a few of the volunteers and community members supporting the build
For the most part, everyone was absolutely wonderful to work with. I say for the most part, because there were two people who were trying to capitalize on the project for personal and financial gain and for whatever reason, I got to meet both of them. One I escorted from the property and received an onslaught of insults, the other was just a deceptive, conniving woman whose main focus was to sabotage the efforts of others and promote herself and her fake business in Fredericksburg. Though I’ve never encountered people like that during other volunteer and community efforts, I was told it happens. Well I hope I don’t run across people like that in the future. But no matter the adversity, I know I was in a good place with a lot of great people. People who know what I know.
For me, I had more than just a sense of happiness in helping. I started reflecting on Kenny and his family, and for some, the thought of giving a Marine with one good leg a mortgage-free home may seem above and beyond, especially if we look back to what little was done for Vietnam vets back in that era. But, and this is something I hardly ever talk about, let alone publish, I am also a disabled veteran with a service connected disability rated at 60%. This cut my career short after nearly 15 years of service and yes, I was upset, I was mad and still feel guilty about not being able to continue serving.
But I learned some things. I CAN continue to serve, even if I’m not deployed and strapped with an M16; and I will always remember what the veterans administrator told me when I was on my way through the process – I may not feel like I need to depend on the veterans administration for help, but down the road, I will. Sure enough, not even ten years since my departure from active duty, my disability has worsened and my health and abilities will continue to decline each year.
Which brings me back to Kenny and Jude. What they and their families did for our community and nation just a few years ago was to make a commitment to serve our country. More directly, they made an oath to protect each one of us directly or indirectly, just as their fellow Marines or Soldiers. When you really think about it, the men and women of the armed services have signed up for the unknowns of their future to protect you and your children. Not every one gets that concept.
So to help build a home for those who have been severely injured while carrying out their duties is an honor for me. I know Kenny and Jude will always be surrounded by people who love and care for them, but I also know that down the road, their physical abilities may decline. To give them a home will not only give them peace of mind, but give them that little boost they need to continue to be an asset to our community and country, even if they can no longer be deployed.
For more about Homes For Our Troops, Please visit HFOT for more about Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc, please visit BSMA
