Homes for Our Troops Launches Construction of Specially Adapted Home for Florida Soldier

Building Partner NWC Construction and Orlando community unite for injured soldier

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Homes for Our Troops, a national non-profit, non-partisan organization building specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans, will begin building a home for Army SPC Luis Puertas September 16-18, 2011. The Build Brigade Ceremony, which will be held at 8:30 a.m. Friday, September 16, will kick off a weekend of activity, starting the home building process.

Specialist Puertas was left a double amputee following an explosion in Baghdad, Iraq, on September 20, 2006, claiming both of his legs on impact. He spent the following 14 months enduring surgeries and rehabilitation at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Following the ceremony, volunteers will work together to raise the home’s first wall. The goal of the three-day build is to frame, side, and roof the house and install windows and doors.  Interior and finishing work will be completed in the following months. The home will provide Puertas maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently.

“This Build Brigade is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a nation,” said John Gonsalves, Founder and President of Homes for Our Troops. “Specialist Puertas is a brave man who sacrificed for our country, and I’m proud to come together with our Building Partner NWC Construction and the entire Orlando community to show appreciation and to give this soldier a home that will restore his freedom and independence.”

WHO: Specialist Luis Puertas; Full bio available at https://www.homesforourtroops.org/puertas

WHEN: Build Brigade Kick-Off: 8:30 a.m., Friday, September 16, 2011
Build Brigade event will continue Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: 12841 Robert’s Island Rd., Orlando, FL 32832