Army Master Sgt. George Vera and his family have a new home in Land O’ Lakes — which they moved into in plenty of time for the holidays.
The home, at 4858 Lago Vista Circle, was given mortgage-free to Vera by Building Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit organization that builds and modifies homes to give to wounded veterans and their families.
Vera, his wife, Angela, and their 11-year-old daughter toured the home for the first time on Dec. 1, during a ceremony to welcome the family into the Land O’ Lakes community, according to a news release from AT&T. AT&T Veterans, a group affiliated with AT&T, helped organize the welcoming celebration for Vera and his family.
Vera joined the military in 1995, and during his 20th year of service, his base came under attack from an improvised explosive device hidden in a vehicle driven by suicide bombers, the release said.
During his efforts to pull fellow wounded soldiers away from the enemy fire and secure their surroundings, Vera was shot. He suffered a spinal cord injury, partial loss of his vital organs and a traumatic brain injury. Because of his numerous injuries, Vera now is confined to a wheelchair. His home has been modified to fit his needs.
More than 15 AT&T employees — from Tampa, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Melbourne and Stuart — were at the welcoming celebration for Vera and his family, the news release said. Dozens of community members were there, too.
The AT&T volunteers set up nearly 200 American flags along the Vera family’s new street, decorated for the holidays inside the home and hosted a barbecue after the ceremony for everyone who attended, the release said.
The AT&T employees are members of AT&T Veterans, an employee group that supports AT&T’s veteran employees as well as other veterans.
In the news release, Sherry Simon, president of AT&T Veterans Florida/PR/VI, said members are proud to help with the homecoming ceremony for Vera and his family.
“We are grateful to have this opportunity to honor Army Master Sgt. Vera for his service and sacrifice, present him and his beautiful family with a housewarming gift, and offer them a warm welcome to the Land O’Lakes community,” Simon said.
Building Homes for Heroes has given homes and new opportunities to more than 100 families across the nation.
Published December 13, 2017
