Sergeant Joel Tavera

Army Sergeant Joel Tavera of Havelock, North Carolina (originally from Queens, NY) was deployed to Iraq in the fall of 2007. He was just 19 years of age. Prior to enlisting in the Army, Joel first fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams; he became an active member of the brotherhood of volunteer firefighters. He spent over two years serving as a volunteer fireman, before following in his father’s footsteps by serving the country in the military. Joel’s father served the country in the United States Marine Corps.

In March of 2008, the Humvee that Joel was riding in was hit by five rockets. The blasts killed three men. Joel was thought to be dead as well. Tragically, Sgt. Tavera lost sight in both of his eyes, his right leg, four fingers on his left hand, and suffered very serious head trauma and critical burns to 60 percent of his body. His parents, Jose and Maritza, have been told that their son is the second most severely injured Army soldier to survive since the war in Iraq began. Joel received The Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Doctors, nurses, hospital officials, friends and fellow soldiers; and anyone else who has met Sgt. Tavera, all feel that he is a veritable inspiration to all he meets. His will, his passion for life, along with his extraordinary spirit and perseverance, serve as an example for anyone who is facing difficult times. He is a kind-hearted, shining light to those he comes in contact with -- in many ways a true American hero! Andrew Pujol visited at the James A. Haley Polytrauma Center in Tampa, Fl. Andy Pujol announced to the Tavera family that they will be the recipient of a home in Central Florida provided by Building Homes for Heroes.

-Ground was broken March 25 for a home in the Grand Hampton community for the severely injured Iraq war veteran who turned 24 the day before the ceremony.

-The $325,000 home, with special modifications, was made possible through the nonprofit BuildingHomesforHeroes.org, along with contributions from the builder, William Ryan Homes, and local firefighters, contractors and others.

-"This is a private, gated community," Tavera said to about 100 supporters gathered onsite for the ceremony, which included former New York City police officer Daniel Rodriguez, who sang "God Bless America.", and Founder Andrew Pujol.

-"Who would have thought that they would have gotten me a home here," he said to guests. They included doctors who treated him, military officers, representatives of the builder, firefighters, two other house recipients and even two therapy dogs Tavera had hugged during recovery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qAlrDffLVc&feature=player_embedded#at=27

All information provided by: http://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/hero-stories/joel-tavera.htm

Corporal Christopher Levi

On March 17, 2008, US Army Ranger Christopher Levi, a Holbrook, Long Island
resident, was severely injured when his Hume was hit by an improvised exploding device in Iraq. Christopher suffered critical injuries, including the loss of both of his legs. He is also in danger of losing his right arm. Christopher will be hospitalized for at least 18 months. Levi's family and friends are now seeking assistance to help defray the costs of renovating Levi's home - an estimated $100,000 job - so that it is handicap accessible upon his return. The goal is to raise enough funds to cover the costs of all of the building materials and to receive donations in the form of labor so that upon Christopher's return, he can be both physically and emotionally comfortable having the full support of both family and friends.

Building Homes for Heroes presented Army Corporal Christopher Levi with a check for $50,000 at a fundraiser held in the outdoor Biergarten at the Plattdeutsche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square, Long Island. The event was held to raise funds to support the costs associated with renovating Levi's home - an estimated $100,000 project - so that the home is handicap accessible upon his return. Including the pledge made by Building Homes for Heroes, the event, which was attended by more than 300 people, raised approximately $80,000. Renovations of the home are set to begin in August of 2008. 

On Saturday August 23, 2008, approximately 100 volunteers, many from the fire department of Holbrook, Long Island, participated in a groundbreaking ceremony and then put on their gloves and helmets, took out their hammers and crowbars, and proceeded to gut the home of injured Army Corporal Christopher Levi. This event marked the beginning of a renovation that will make Levi’s home handicap accessible upon his return.

The Holbrook Fire Department, Suffolk County Court Officers Association, U.S. Army’s 69th Infantry Regiment, Suffolk County Police Department and many other members of the community volunteered to begin renovating the home. Andy Pujol and Andrew McClure of Building Homes for Heroes, which donated $50,000 to assist Corporal Levi, were both on hand at the ceremony. The project, which will cost approximately $100,000, is expected to be completed before Christmas.

All information provided by: http://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/Chris-Levi/chris-levi-event.htm

Specialist B.J. Jackson

In August of 2003, B.J. Jackson was driving a Humvee with two other soldiers through Baghdad. The vehicle struck a land mine and was then hit by a rocket propelled grenade. The soldiers were besieged by Iraqis firing AK-47s. B.J. was critically injured.

Jackson lost both legs and suffered severe burns on his arms, legs and back. Over the first five days, he received 25 units of blood. Jackson spent nearly 50 days in the post burn unit. Remarkably, by early December, he was skiing on his new legs.

One of five soldiers credited with inspiring the formation of Building Homes for Heroes, B.J. has made hundreds of television appearances and has been keynote speaker at numerous events. The topics B.J. discusses include his personal road to recovery, overcoming odds, leadership, adapting to life’s changes, and perseverance. He is a true American hero for his patriotic and civilian sacrifice. B.J., his wife Abby, and their five children, live in Des Moines, Iowa.

All information provided by:  http://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/hero-stories/bj-jackson.htm

SPC Brendan Marrocco

                         

On Easter Sunday 2009, 22-year old Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco, 2nd Battalion of the 27th Infantry Regiment , was at the wheel of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle. He was driving the last vehicle in a four-vehicle convoy which was returning to Forward Operating Base Summerall in Bayji Iraq. He had just escorted other U.S. soldiers to the Siniyah Joint Security Station.

The first three trucks passed the sophisticated roadside bomb without incident. The bomb, known as an "anti-armor IED", or an "explosively formed projectile" (EFP) exploded into Marrocco's vehicle. The armor-piercing projectile punched through the middle of the driver's side door. The blast tore off both of Marrocco's arms and his left leg. His right leg was mangled beyond saving. His carotid artery was severed, his body badly burned, and vision in his left eye was severely damaged. Brendan was kept from bleeding to death by his platoon’s 21-year old medic and his fellow soldiers.

Marrocco was airlifted to the trauma hospital at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, outside Tikrit. Soon after the medevac helicopter delivered Marrocco and the other wounded, the call went out to wake the soldiers stationed at Speicher, asking them to roll up their sleeves for a massive emergency blood drive. He was resuscitated, stabilized and underwent emergency surgeries. He was then flown to a hospital in Balad, and finally on to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Brendan would need as many as 60 pints before he left Iraq. Three days after the attack, Brendan arrived at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He is the only soldier to lose all four limbs in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Brendan made it clear soon after arriving at Walter Reed that his goal was to stand on the runway onhis new legs when his unit returned from Iraq. Five weeks into his stay at Walter Reed, Brendan beganworking with his first prosthetic legs – an 18-inch starter pair called “stubbies.” As he mastered one set, he moved to taller, more sophisticated ones, with articulating knees and electronic components that help with movement and gait. He is now on his third set of legs.

One very important factor in Marrocco’s recovery has been the support from his family. Brendan’s older brother, Mike, quit his job with Citibank in Manhattan and moved to Walter Reed soon after Brendan was injured. On a typical day at Walter Reed, Brendan and Mike head to physical therapy at about 9 a.m., Brendan stretches, puts on his prosthetic legs, and then takes a lap using a walker around the Military Advanced Training Center track. Then, Brendan continues doing laps, without the use of the walker, usually walking until 11 a.m. Next up is occupational therapy and working with his arms. The brothers get two hours for lunch and doctor’s appointments, then go back for more arm work.

Building Homes for Heroes and The Stephen Siller Children’s Foundation have joined forces to build a home for Specialist Marrocco on Staten Island.

All information provided by : http://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/home.htm

About Building Homes For Heroes

Building Homes for Heroes provides individuals, corporations and others with an opportunity to help our severely wounded and disabled veterans and their families rebuild their lives. Many of these young men and women are coming home badly burned, with permanent and unsightly body disfigurements, missing limbs, the loss of sight or ability to walk, psychiatric conditions or paralysis.

Building Homes for Heroes is committed to supporting these extraordinary men and women, with a goal to build homes for families in dire need. We believe that it’s our responsibility to support those who have been called upon to make the ultimate personal sacrifice — to protect and safeguard our country by fighting America’s War on Terror. Building Homes for Heroes was founded by Andrew Pujol (Andy Pujol).

For more information on Building Homes For Heroes

http://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/home.htm

Thinking of getting involved? Please contact:
info@buildinghomesforheroes.com

Andrew McClure, EVP, Chief Operating Officer AMcClure@buildinghomesforheroes.com

Carolyn Paszke, Events Coordinator Carolyn@buildinghomesforheroes.com

Building Homes for Heroes
65 Roosevelt Ave., Suite 105
Valley Stream, NY 11581

516-684-9220