Wounded veteran gets new, custom-built home in Sanford

March 23, 2015

MyFoxOrlando.com:

SANFORD, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) –Sanford’s W. 25th St. was partially shut down on Friday afternoon and dozens welcomed Sgt. Jackie Irving home.  

Irving hasn’t just returned from a tour of duty, as he’s already done his time overseas. He and his family are literally coming home to a brand new custom-built house.

“My family is happy, my kids are in there somewhere right now going crazy. I’m happy, they’re happy and I’m grateful for what’s been done for us,” Irving said.

Retired from the Army, Irving did tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan and in 2012, he suffered serious injuries from the blast of an improvised explosive device, including a brain injury.  He is also still dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“What we’re looking for is families that in spite of what they’ve been through, in spite of their injuries, in spite of their circumstances, they just will not let anything get them down,” said Lee Kirgan, VP of construction at Operation Finally Home.

Operation Finally Home is a non-profit that builds mortgage-free homes for wounded and disabled veterans across the country and they say the Irvings are exactly what they look for when choosing a family to help.

“For awhile, I had to wait until it really got into me like ‘OK dude, this is real. Nobody’s playing jokes on you. This is the real deal,'” Irving said.

More at MyFoxOrlando.com

Disclaimer: This was not written by Silent Soldier.