Articles < ARTICLE LISTINGS
[click to view articles from edition 1 | edition 2 | edition 3 | edition 4 | edition 5 | edition 6]

Homes for Troops: A Safe Place to Call Home
By Katie Chancellor & Rachel Danley

November 11, 2011 marked a very special Veterans Day Celebration in Garden Ridge and an event to be remembered by many. In addition to honoring the service of the many veterans who have served and continue to serve our country, Homes for Our Troops was proud to celebrate the 100th home built by the nonprofit group, based in Taunton, Massachusetts and provide keys to the specially adapted home built in Georg Ranch for the Robles family.

Earlier this summer, residents in Garden Ridge’s Georg Ranch received a letter that shared exciting news for the community. The main message of the note? Homes for Our Troops was heading their way to build a brand-new home for Army veteran, Daniel Robles.

The mission of Homes for Our Troops, as the letter circulating the neighborhood stated, is to “provide specially adapted homes for our most severely wounded service members returning from the War on Terror.” The non-profit organization, which was founded in 2004, works to raise donations and coordinate the building of the homes, all at no cost to the veteran. The residents of Georg Ranch also learned why Master Sergeant (MSG) Daniel Robles was more than deserving of the organization’s attention.

While serving in Iraq during his third deployment, Robles survived an improvised explosive device attack, commonly known as a roadside bomb that left him unconscious for two days and so critically injured that he lost both of his legs. After months of recovery and intense physical therapy, Robles returned home to his wife, Ernestine, and daughter, Mary, feeling blessed to have survived but knowing his injury would require some serious adapting.

While there is no question that the whole period of transition required plenty of determination, one particularly challenging adjustment Robles encountered was maneuvering throughout his home. The majority of homes today are certainly not built with wheelchairs in mind, and Robles quickly realized the issue it had become to move about his house freely and safely while maintaining independence in everyday tasks. His situation illustrates the very reason that Homes for Our Troops was created.

Having worked with others on several projects for the organization, Garden Ridge Police Chief Donna O’Conner knows the value that each home brings to families. “Homes for our Troops is near and dear to my heart. Our PD and Explorers worked on three houses that were built in Marion a couple of years ago. We did a pack-the-pantry for those three where we collected groceries and household goods for all three,” said Chief O’Conner. “We have already started that for the Robles’ house. It was incredible to see the families in Marion walk in and find their cabinets lined with groceries, their laundry and bathrooms supplied with paper and cleaning products.”

Collecting pantry items and other home necessities is not the only thing that residents of Garden Ridge and surrounding areas have contributed to the project for Daniel Robles and his family. Many surrounding community members and organizations also assisted with the three-day “build brigade” that occurred in mid-July.

The building event began with a ceremony honoring MSG Robles’ service to the country and introducing the family to the many volunteers who had arrived to help. Chief O’Conner described the emotional opening. “Community leaders, volunteers, and several law enforcement agencies, along with Patriot Guards and the Yellow Cab Digital Camo Hummer, lead the family ‘parade-style’ to the residence where they were greeted by many American Flags and salutes. Comal County Sheriff Honor Guard presented the Colors,” she said.

Once the building team was in place, the event kicked off with everyone pitching in where needed. General contractor Ric Campbell and his team at RD Campbell Custom Homes worked tirelessly to take the project from the raising of the first wall to a shingled home by the end of the weekend.

“Officers assisted with parking and securing the entrances to the gated community and organized transportation for all of the volunteers. The Citizens Police Academy Alumni and Citizens on Patrol, Triumphant Lutheran Church, Blue Star Mothers, officers, and many volunteers and organizations helped with food and building needs. It was truly a community project,” said Chief O’Conner.

Friday’s event at the Key Ceremony followed with an even greater salute and honor for Robles and his service. With streets lined with community members each holding an American Flag, the procession was led by Fort Sam Houston Noncommissioned Officer Academy with presentation of the Colors, followed by the Guadalupe County Sheriff Mounted Posse and dozens of motorcycle mounted Patriot Guard Riders. The memorable procession was greeted warmly by many service men, fellow wounded veterans and many community members. All gathered to celebrate and show respect to those who risk their very lives for our Country’s freedom and security. The procession included Robles’ family vehicle and ended with the Bracken Volunteer Fire Department Engines.

President and Founder of Homes for Our Troops, John Gonsalves, warmly greeted the crowd and showed his respect for Robles, “We honor all veterans,” he said, “Daniel is in the spotlight today as he has followed a long line of patriots.” He expressed the gratitude we all feel for Robles and fellow veterans. He shared, “As a generation, we will be defined by how we treat our veterans. We stand united for our veterans, especially our wounded veterans.”

Gonsalves also recognized the many contributors and volunteers who helped with the project. Among them was Garden Ridge based company, Triple R Electric, who offered electrical contracting and supplies for this home as well as 6 others for Homes for Our Troops veterans in the area. Additionally, Wells Fargo Bank made a generous contribution of $35,000 to the organization in Robles’ name.

Canyon Lake Blue Star Moms, Richard Campbell of RD Custom Homes, Randal Amescua of Triple R Electric, Mayor Pro Tem Russ Sanders and Elisa Ellis representing Senator Wentworth were each recognized and had the opportunity to speak. And lastly, Robles took the podium to offer his humble words of thanks, “Thank you for what this house means to our future,” he said. “I don’t know how much longer I will be able to walk, so not having to worry about how I get around in my own home is a blessing in itself.” He thanked the community supporters and veterans in the crowd. He offered a special thanks to Neil Frustaglio and his family for their encouragement to join the Homes for Our Troops program. And he also offered a special thanks to Chief Donna O’Conner.

The Homes for Our Troops building program might sound like an episode of Extreme Home Makeover – and certainly everyone’s involvement with the project matches the efforts of anyone on the television show – but there is still work to be done and items required to complete other projects in our area and across the nation. For example, flooring, electrical, and landscaping materials and labor are all needed to finish out the homes and financial contributions are also very welcomed. To find out how to get involved and learn more about the organization, visit www.homesforourtroops.org. To learn more about the MSG Daniel Robles visit www.homesforourtroops.org/robles.