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Extreme Makeover Home Edition Teams Up With Homes For Our Troops

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In June we profiled an organization that was working hard to put a few permanently disabled Iraq War vets into suitable adaptive homes. At that point Homes for Our Troops (HFOT) had made some remarkable connections for such a young organization. Songwriter Billy Joel had made a large donation; Phil Mickelson who is having a very good year indeed, had dedicated his 2005 PGA tour to the organization; pledging $100 for each birdie and $500 for each eagle he makes this year and singer Vicky Emerson was donating proceeds from her song "Empty Boots" to the organization.

HFOT's initial project was and is a home in Middleboro, Massachusetts for former Army Sgt. Peter Damon who lost both of his lower arms in a bomb blast in Iraq. Some truly rotten weather has plagued the project - a cold and incredibly snowy winter turned into an unbelievably hot and periodically monsoon-like summer - but that house will soon be completed.


In June there were a flurry of stories about Homes for Our Troops; CNN, NBC, and other media ran extensive stories on the Massachusetts-based organization; President Bush mentioned them in a speech, and the organization took second place (and $7,500) in the Newman's Own Awards sponsored by Newman's Own, the Fisher House Foundation, and the Military Times Media Group for volunteer organizations that support military communities. And Sgt. Peter Damon, using one of his remarkable prosthetic arms, threw out the opening pitch at a Boston Red Sox home game.

And then, as always happens, HFOT seemed to become old news. One would have to look very hard to find out what has going on with the group in the last few months.

Thankfully, that is about to change and HFOT will soon be marching into living rooms across America. But first an update.

In Dale City Virginia HFOT is building a house for Army Staff Sgt. Eugene Simpson who became a paraplegic after an improvised explosive device exploded near his vehicle in Tikrit. Staff Sgt. Simpson is 27 and the father of four sons.

Chief Warrant Officer Juan Beltran's existing home in Pico Rivera, California is being adapted to allow him to move about in it in his wheelchair. He is a quadriplegic after an Apache helicopter incident.

In Dunbar, Pennsylvania PFC Sam Ross, Jr. will soon have a handicapped-accessible log cabin. He was wounded in May, 2003 while disposing of munitions near Baghdad. He lost a leg and part of one eye, and is now blind from his injuries.

Several other homes are also under construction.

But, to get back to the march into America's living rooms. In July, volunteers from Massachusetts traveled to Tennessee to help the design crew from ABC's "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" demolish and rebuild a home for Sgt. Luis Rodriquez, an Army medic who was injured when his Humvee was blown up by a roadside bomb while trying to pick up supplies for orphans. Sgt. Rodriquez lost a leg and suffered other critical injuries in the attack.

The Extreme Makeover program will be broadcast early in the 2005-2006 season which is about to begin. Given the show's high ratings in its first season, this should provide a boost for the HFOT organization.

Look for the show and in the meantime, if you know of a deserving vet, want to start a project in your own community, or can donate time, money, skills, or supplies, visit the HFOT web site at www.homesforourtroops.com. It is hard to imagine a more worthwhile project.



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It is absolutely pathetic that we need to step in and take care of our injured troops. Politicians keep building and taxes keep gouing up, they have their own personal retirement and health plans. Our taxes support them nicely. We need only one social security and medicare and see how fast they get fixed. Vote them all out Wake up America. Be Independent and fire them. They don't care about your job. You have only one vote don't waste it.

Above Posted By: Bill | Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:20:22 EST

Too bad that this great cause is being tainted by a ludicrous suit by Sgt Peter Damons against Michael Moore for a legal use of free speach in his documentary. All be it anti-BUSH... it is a legal production and a waste of time and funds for the people of the US who rebuilt Sgt Damons home and supported his return. Not fond of this use of my tax money....

Above Posted By: Lara | Wed, 31 May 2006 22:23:15 EST

I think that it is very great that we can help the victims of hurricanes in the past. How can we get more people to help donate stuff for the hurricane victoms because not everybody wants to help them, because people think when you do fund raisers for them that you would keep all of the money to yourself. I reallly hope that we can help make a difference in peoples lives!

Above Posted By: Stephanie | Mon, 17 Apr 2006 18:38:11 EST

I think everything someone can do for a vet is the greatest. I got both of my knees broken in Iraq from a mortor attack. I can pay for a home but as everyone had some bad money problems in the past. Does anyone know a place a vet could get a home loan without my past hanging over me so bad? I have enough past I'm trying to deal with from iraq everytime I close my eyes not to be worried about my family having a roof over there head.

Above Posted By: j b | Sun, 19 Feb 2006 14:13:19 EST

To Angie, there was a show last season, I believe, where a duplex was built for an organization that helps people get back on thier feet by providing them a temporary home that does not have to be shared with others. A young single mother and a family of 4 or 5 benefited from the duplex being built.

Above Posted By: An American Serving Overseas | Sat, 7 Jan 2006 06:29:56 EST

I would love to see Extreme Home Makeover build some type of housing complex for low income working families, maybe this type of housing could be a temporary help for them and when they are financially stable and move on the housing is available for new families. There are alot of homeless in our country and it is getting worse with the hurricanes.

Above Posted By: Angie | Sat, 22 Oct 2005 23:09:39 EST

The poem's name for the soldier was the 'Final Inspection' There are a anumber of websites but I've included one.

http://members.lovingyou.com/showthread.php?threadid=4294

Above Posted By: Brian | Thu, 13 Oct 2005 16:47:16 EST

I would really like to have a copy of the poem about the soilder meeting with God that was displayed in the Rodriguez home.

Above Posted By: JoAnn Denton | Tue, 4 Oct 2005 15:51:31 EST

I also have been trying to locate the master bath suction cup clamp bars that you used in Sgt. Rodriquez's home. I even asked at my local Sears with no luck. Can you please help me find them? Many thanks for supporting the troops and recognizing them in a manner that they should be for all their sacrifices. We love the show.

Above Posted By: Carrie | Mon, 3 Oct 2005 11:48:53 EST

Please send me the title and author of the soldiers poem that was displayed in the Rodriquez's home. Thanks! Anna

Above Posted By: Anna Gillespie | Mon, 3 Oct 2005 10:07:44 EST

Could anyone please help me find a copy of the poem about the soldier meeting with God. It was in the Rodriguez family show. My cousin fought in Iraq, is having a hard time and I think it would help him. Thanks

Above Posted By: Kate Dougherty | Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:41:57 EST

The armed forces risk their lives to secure our homes. Projects like this are the least Americans can do to help them rebuild their lives and their homes. Keep up the good work and God bless.

RE: Can you please tell me where I can buy the suction clamp bars that were used in Sgt. Rodriquez's master bathroom? I've googled the web and can't find them. THANK YOU

Above Posted By: Carmalita | Tue, 27 Sep 2005 09:35:15 EST

Watched th Rodriguez makeover Sept. 25. Loved the driveway & sidewalk!!!! Please tell us who did that wonderful concrete for the house! Have never seen anything like that!!

Above Posted By: Sue | Mon, 26 Sep 2005 19:38:35 EST

There are many troops from the Army Reserve who have served in the fight against the Global War On Terrorism. Many in the 4010th USAH and the 256th BCT at Fort Polk lost their himes in Katrina and don't have the $$ to rebuild. Would you consider a series of Extreme Makeover Home Editions dedicated to these fine troops who have supported our country and now need our help?

Above Posted By: LTC Jan Lemaire | Wed, 14 Sep 2005 19:56:44 EST

My daughter loss her husband in Iraq in March of 2003 during a suicide car bombing. She was preganant with her second child and moved back home to Hawaii. Our home is getting to small. I believe my daughter deserves a break. She would never be able to afford a home on her own. She'd like the girls to have their own room, a play room play, play area in the back fence the yard We would really appreciate any assistance with plans drawn up, material list make etc.

Above Posted By: Lynne | Mon, 12 Sep 2005 06:54:02 EST

HI I like what youre doing for iraq veterans, but would you do something for a 55 year old vietnam vet and family that thier house is falling down on them or even come to puerto rico with your help or can your refer me to someone that cares. Thank you for taking time to read this.

Above Posted By: orlando | Sun, 11 Sep 2005 22:30:42 EST

I need to get a hold of some one that can help my brother and his fellow officers who have lost their homes in Biloxi Missippi. They are working 16 hr days helping others and no they need help too!! There are 15 officers who have lost their homes and any help from your show would be appreciated. Thanks

Above Posted By: jean | Mon, 5 Sep 2005 14:26:52 EST

i think that it is truly awesome that everyone is involved to help our troops. are there any ways,any organizations can purchase land and rebuilding communities to help those of the hurricane,so they can go home Now? i thought it might be a good idea. creating a world wide thing..to rebuild entire communities...Now. :)

Above Posted By: helping the hurricane victims. | Thu, 1 Sep 2005 21:34:32 EST

I worked on the house in TN with the men from Homes for Troops. They are a dedicated group of men! The temp was in the upper 90's and these men never complained once. They stayed until the wee hours of the morning working hard building things for the home. Hurry for men like this!!!!!! And no, Ty is not married.

Above Posted By: Mandy | Sun, 28 Aug 2005 18:55:42 EST

What a GREAT CAUSE! I'm happy to see it getting the attention it deserves. On a side note, I would like to know, is Ty Pennington married? :)

Above Posted By: HappyToSee | Tue, 23 Aug 2005 17:07:50 EST


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