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New homes, new lives for wounded veterans

November 17, 2008
New homes, new lives for wounded veterans
Veterans Day has come and gone, but two local veterans have not been forgotten.

Thanks to various nonprofit organizations, generous donations and the hard work of many volunteers, there are young men in the Bay Area who are now living in brand-new, custom-built homes designed especially for them.

And there are a lot of people who are very happy about that.

Attending two home dedications in one week may be rather unusual. But getting a chance to meet these young men and their families was quite an honor for me.

Representatives from area businesses and nonprofit organizations that made it possible for these young men to receive homes attended both events. League City's Tuscan Lakes subdivision officially welcomed Marine Lt. Erasmo Valles and his family on Veterans Day. Erasmo, his wife Sandra and their children Ty, Lorenzo and Tatianna moved to League City from San Antonio earlier this year. Valles has undergone 22 surgeries, including the amputation of his left leg. He now walks with a prosthetic one.

The gift was a joint effort by The Johnson Development Corp., Gallery Furniture, Kroger, Bay Area Builders Association (Support our Troops, Inc.), and the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH), a nongovernmental agency that provides emergency financial aid to severely wounded veterans.

Thanks to the HelpingaHero.org Home Program, Corporal Steven Schulz was given the key to his new home built by Perry Homes in the West Ranch subdivision he will share with his parents and siblings on Nov. 14. The Friendswood Development Company and the Houston Rotary District 5890 contributed to the effort as well.

The new home will give Schulz, who suffered severe brain trauma and uses a wheelchair, the chance to be more independent--since it is equipped with wider doorways, a roll-in shower, lower countertops and appliances and front loading washer and dryer.

From the podium during the dedication of the Valles family home, Sen. John Cornyn expressed his gratitude to all those who serve their country in every division of the armed services. Said Cornyn:In my book every day is Veterans Day. Every day we should say thanks to those who keep us free and help keep us safe.