Two weeks after Homes for our Troops (HFOT) held its Volunteer Day for former Marine Sgt. Christopher Lawrence (as we told you last issue), as many as 150 volunteers showed up to help lay sod and plant dozens more plants at the future home of former Army Sgt. Quincy Lopez in a different part of Wesley Chapel.
Sgt. Lopez also lost his right leg to an improvised explosive device (IED) blast while on patrol in Iraq in 2006. And, like Sgt. Lawrence, Sgt. Lopez, who is a native New Yorker, chose to live in Wesley Chapel because of the weather and the areaâs proximity to the Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa.
Sgt. Lopez, his son Warren and their dog Skye (photos on this page) are excited to move into their specially-designed home by Kent Custom Homes on Country Club Rd., which will happen on Saturday, September 6, 9 a.m., in a joint âKey Ceremonyâ that will begin at Sgt. Lawrenceâs home on Steeplechase Rd. Although both injured home recipients already raised an HFOT flag at their homes, those will be joined by an American flag-raising ceremony on Sept. 6.
After being introduced by HFOT community engagement coordinator Krystina Goroshko, Retired Army Brigadier General Tom Landwermeyer, the president & CEO of HFOT, first talked about HFOTâs mission to help severely injured veterans rebuild their lives with custom-designed homes â which will approach 500 in 46 states by next year â and thanked all of the volunteers for coming out to help before turning over the mic to Sgt. Lopez.
âThis gives me a lot of independence back,â Sgt. Lopez said. âHaving a home thatâs adaptable allows me to cook and clean, move around and take a shower without assistance. It helps me to be a better father, a better community member and Iâm so excited to be a part of this community. A lot of people say their communities are the best, but as welcoming as Wesley Chapel has been, I think you guys outrank a lot. Youâve accepted a lot of us [injured vets] into your community and youâre the reason why we sacrificed. Iâm just extremely honored and thankful to all of you. I really appreciate you guys.âÂ
Nathan Pratt, the same partner from Kent Custom Homes who spoke at Sgt. Lawrenceâs Volunteer Day two weeks earlier, also gave the instructions to the volunteers doing the landscaping at this home and also thanked Sgt. Lopez for his service. To make a donation or for more info about HFOT, visit hfotusa.org or call (866) 787-6877. â GNÂ
