1 00:00:04,920 --> 00:00:08,559 Speaker 1: On this episode of nurch World, I am delighted to 2 00:00:08,640 --> 00:00:12,760 Speaker 1: introduce a non profit organization supporting our veterans and making 3 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:17,120 Speaker 1: a real difference in their lives. Homes for Our Troops 4 00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:22,520 Speaker 1: is a publicly funded non profit organization that bills and 5 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:28,840 Speaker 1: donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post 6 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: nine to eleven veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives. 7 00:00:33,479 --> 00:00:38,479 Speaker 1: Most of these veterans have sustained injuries including multiple limb imitations, 8 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:45,519 Speaker 1: partial or full paralysis, blindness, severe burns, and or severe 9 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 1: traumatic brain injury. These homes restore some of the freedom 10 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:55,720 Speaker 1: and independence our veterans sacrificed for defending our country and 11 00:00:55,920 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 1: enable them to focus on their family, recovery and rebuilding 12 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:04,679 Speaker 1: their lives. Since its inception in two thousand and four, 13 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:09,400 Speaker 1: nearly ninety cents out of every dollar spent has gone 14 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:13,960 Speaker 1: directly to program services for veterans. Homes for our Troops 15 00:01:14,319 --> 00:01:18,040 Speaker 1: builds these homes where the veteran chooses to live, and 16 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 1: continues its relationship with the veteran after home delivery to 17 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 1: assist them with rebuilding their lives. So I'm really pleased 18 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: to welcome my two guests, President and CEO of Homes 19 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: for our Troops, Brigadier General US Army retired Tom Landromyer 20 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 1: and veteran Yancey Bear. Tom and Yancy, welcome and thank 21 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:53,520 Speaker 1: you for joining the own News world. And let me 22 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 1: say thank you both for your service to our great country. 23 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,760 Speaker 2: Sir, Thanks for having us. It was absolutely honor to serve. 24 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 3: Yes, sir, thank you for what you do and thank 25 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 3: you for getting this message out. 26 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 1: Sir. Well, Tom, let me start with you. Tell us 27 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 1: a little bit more about the mission of Homes for 28 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:14,919 Speaker 1: our troops and now you became equated with the Yancy. 29 00:02:16,639 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 2: Yes, sir. First of all, Sir, i'd say with your 30 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:21,399 Speaker 2: intro there, if I could afford you, I would hire 31 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:24,040 Speaker 2: you because you've got all of our information down just 32 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:27,359 Speaker 2: perfectly and we appreciate that. But one of the things 33 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:30,079 Speaker 2: you mentioned is the most unique thing about us in 34 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:32,240 Speaker 2: Homes for our Troops is that we stay in contact 35 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:35,240 Speaker 2: with our veterans after we give them the keys. We 36 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:38,639 Speaker 2: need feedback on more than forty special adaptations that are 37 00:02:38,639 --> 00:02:41,640 Speaker 2: designed into every one of these homes to help restore 38 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 2: that freeman independence to the veteran and we have to 39 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 2: get that feedback from the veterans and the families that 40 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 2: are in our homes, because we're constantly tweaking our house plans. 41 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:53,280 Speaker 2: But the most important reason we stay in contact with 42 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 2: them is the rebuilding lives aspect. We do build these homes. 43 00:02:56,800 --> 00:02:59,639 Speaker 2: We built in forty six states. Tomorrow we're giving away 44 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 2: our four one hundred and twenty ninth home. We're rapidly 45 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:06,000 Speaker 2: approaching five hundred. But the most important thing to us 46 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 2: is what goes on after these veterans get into their homes. 47 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 2: They have challenges living in a regular home environment. It's 48 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 2: just not safe and it's not fully accessible, really ratchets 49 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:22,520 Speaker 2: up the stress across the family unit. Frustrations rise. And 50 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 2: I think all of your listeners and certainly all of 51 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:29,240 Speaker 2: our patriots across the country would agree that these veterans 52 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:33,919 Speaker 2: have served and fond enough downrange for us. They shouldn't 53 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 2: have to continue to fight through frustrations living in their homes. 54 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 2: Their home want to be a place arrest. But and 55 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 2: that's where our homes come in. All these veterans can 56 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:46,760 Speaker 2: apply to us. They're all post nine eleven veterans whose 57 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 2: injuries or sicknesses actually are traced back to their duty 58 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:55,240 Speaker 2: in Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of war during the wars, 59 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:58,120 Speaker 2: and they come to us and we have a short 60 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 2: application form that will haven't feel out. We'll do a 61 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,920 Speaker 2: background check. Only a couple times have we ever come 62 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 2: up with something in the background that our donors and 63 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 2: supporters wouldn't agree with. So we do that just to 64 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 2: make sure, and if they have something in there, then 65 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:13,720 Speaker 2: we just tell them that they're not qualified for the 66 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 2: program and move on. We'll bring them into the family. 67 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 2: We'll ask them where they want to live, because our 68 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 2: veterans get to choose. We're trying to build this as 69 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 2: their forever home, and in order to do that, we 70 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 2: need to make sure where they want to live, where 71 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 2: they want their forever home, and what they want to 72 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:32,919 Speaker 2: do with their lives afterwards. Because the more we can 73 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:36,360 Speaker 2: work into that and the location of their home, the 74 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:38,280 Speaker 2: longer we think they'll stay in it. We want them 75 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 2: to stay in it, raise their kids, have their kids 76 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 2: come back, have grandkids come back, and it be the 77 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 2: family home. That's what we're after, and for the most part, 78 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:50,640 Speaker 2: that's what happens. But these guys and gals, I think 79 00:04:50,680 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 2: you would agree with me that even though we are 80 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 2: a charity. Our mission isn't charity. It really is the 81 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:00,160 Speaker 2: duty of our country to take care of them, these 82 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:03,279 Speaker 2: veterans and their families. Every single one of these post 83 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:06,719 Speaker 2: nine eleven veterans volunteered to serve because we haven't had 84 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:10,120 Speaker 2: a draft since nineteen seventy three, so they're all volunteers. 85 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:12,600 Speaker 2: When it was their time, they deployed with their units, 86 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:15,240 Speaker 2: they went down the range and the blank Vinine. Their lives, 87 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 2: their families' lives changed forever. Our organization is just the 88 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:23,839 Speaker 2: one that can help create Americans, support these veterans, and 89 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 2: take care of them and help repay a very small 90 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:30,000 Speaker 2: portion of a debt that will never be completely repaid. 91 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 1: Tom Givin your army background, what led you to decide 92 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 1: that this is where you were going to invest your 93 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:39,160 Speaker 1: energy and your capabilities. 94 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:43,480 Speaker 2: I spent thirty three years in the Army after graduating 95 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:45,480 Speaker 2: from West Point in seventy six. I retired in two 96 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:48,560 Speaker 2: thousand and nine and decided instead of going into the 97 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 2: corporate world, that I wanted to go into the nonprofit 98 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 2: sector and just continue to serve somehow. I really wanted 99 00:05:55,400 --> 00:05:59,119 Speaker 2: to get in with something that worked with military kids. 100 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 2: Was what I was really after I landed initially as 101 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 2: the COEO with the Armed Services YMCA that was supporting 102 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:09,840 Speaker 2: junior enlisted troops with programs and services, and that was wonderful. 103 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 2: And about five years into that, I had a buddy 104 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:16,719 Speaker 2: that approached me that I'd served with previously, who was 105 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:18,600 Speaker 2: the last president of homes for our troops, and he 106 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:21,479 Speaker 2: said that he was leaving, and he said, why don't 107 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 2: you check it out and if you want to compete 108 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 2: for the position, let me know. And I went to 109 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 2: the website and got to the point where I was 110 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:31,800 Speaker 2: looking at all the videos that we have on the 111 00:06:31,839 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 2: website from all the veterans that we support, and you 112 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 2: could see on that video as they're coming into the 113 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 2: program and they talked a little bit about their story 114 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 2: and then they talk about the challenges they have in 115 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 2: the current living environment, and they talk about what they're 116 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:48,040 Speaker 2: looking forward to in a home. It was on blue 117 00:06:48,080 --> 00:06:50,159 Speaker 2: I was just writing down the words that they were using. 118 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:53,480 Speaker 2: My wife saw me watching all these videos. I said, hey, 119 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:55,400 Speaker 2: why don't you sit down and watch one of these 120 00:06:56,360 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 2: and she said, oh no, no, no, no, I said, no, just one, 121 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 2: just watch one. So she pulled up a chair and 122 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:03,919 Speaker 2: I just hit replay on the one I just watched, 123 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:06,039 Speaker 2: and since I'd seen I kind of sat back and 124 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:11,160 Speaker 2: was watching her. And she started out and Almo arms crossed, uncrossed, 125 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 2: leaned forward, had on her hands, and when it got done, 126 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 2: she looked over at me and said, play another one. 127 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:22,040 Speaker 2: I said, exactly, that's exactly it, and she said, if 128 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 2: you don't compete for this position, you're a fool. So 129 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 2: less than twenty four hours later, I was finding out 130 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 2: out to throw my hat in a ring. In About 131 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:33,320 Speaker 2: three months later and a couple of inquisitions from some 132 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 2: of the board members, I had a position started in 133 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 2: January seventeen. Haven't looked back. 134 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 1: That's a great story, now, yeah, I said, as I 135 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: understand it, you grew up in a small town in 136 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 1: Oklahoma and you were kind of looking for growth and opportunity. 137 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: What was it about the military that attracted you as 138 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 1: the right path? 139 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 3: Yes, sir, it was honestly just getting out of the 140 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 3: small town going to school. I joined the Army Infantry 141 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:07,560 Speaker 3: for a four year stint to pay for college. That's 142 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 3: what it was about for me at that time, to 143 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:11,760 Speaker 3: get me out of this small town where a lot 144 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 3: of my friends were starting to get into trouble, starting 145 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 3: to get into things they shouldn't be getting into, and 146 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 3: I didn't want to be there and see that and 147 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 3: continue to be on that path. And I just had 148 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 3: this drive to further my education, and that was the 149 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:30,480 Speaker 3: only way it was going to happen for me was 150 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 3: to join the army, and I did my first four years, 151 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 3: and I really enjoyed what I was doing. The structure, 152 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 3: the discipline, the freedom. Even that's a lot of people 153 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:42,560 Speaker 3: don't understand that about the military is the freedom you 154 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:46,559 Speaker 3: achieve also, and I ended up doing it for quite 155 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 3: a few years and loved every day of it and 156 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 3: would take a single day back. 157 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:55,840 Speaker 1: You deployed, I think four different times, and the combat zones, 158 00:08:56,559 --> 00:08:59,520 Speaker 1: that's a pretty intense experience, yes, sir. 159 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 3: On one of those, I actually went straight from Iraq 160 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:08,240 Speaker 3: over to Afghanistan, so four times, both theaters of operation. 161 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:12,360 Speaker 1: Now, by your fourth deployment, you were serving with the 162 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:17,559 Speaker 1: tenth Special Forces Group, which means you were consistently applying 163 00:09:17,640 --> 00:09:21,679 Speaker 1: for very tough assignments, very tough training, and you had 164 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:24,559 Speaker 1: learned an amazing amount to get to that. 165 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 2: Point, yes, sir, So all of a sudden. 166 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:31,960 Speaker 1: In November two thousand and nine, in middle of serving 167 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 1: your country, your life changed during a landing in Iraq 168 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 1: as presuming helicopter landing. Talk us through that for a minute. 169 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 3: Yes, sir, just had a rough landing one night and 170 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:51,560 Speaker 3: had an injury to my leg walking metavac meaning after 171 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:56,400 Speaker 3: that operation went self metavac to Lonstreuel to see what 172 00:09:56,440 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 3: the injury consisted of. That ended up being three constructive 173 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 3: surgeries later, and during the third reconstructive surgery they had 174 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 3: used a cadabra bone and they believed they introduced a 175 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:18,880 Speaker 3: very aggressive cancer to my leg my body telligentetic osteosocoma, 176 00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:24,319 Speaker 3: which led to finally an amputation on my leg. But honestly, 177 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:28,720 Speaker 3: at that point, after multiple reconstructive surgeries on an ankle 178 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:33,720 Speaker 3: on a lower limb, it was fused. Your lifestyle is 179 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 3: just not what it was before, especially with the activity 180 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 3: level that I was used to, And for me, it 181 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:44,160 Speaker 3: was a blessing to hear that they were finally gonna 182 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 3: just get rid of it. You know, I joke a 183 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 3: lot and say, hey, I can't stub a toe now, 184 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 3: and I can't twist an ankle anymore, so I've got 185 00:10:53,040 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 3: it good. It's a paper cut for below than the amputation. 186 00:10:57,480 --> 00:10:59,440 Speaker 3: There's guys out there was so much worse. 187 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:19,760 Speaker 1: How much on adjustment does that take? How much rehab 188 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:21,920 Speaker 1: is to operate having lost a leg? 189 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 3: Yes, sir again, a below the knee amputation is a 190 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 3: I hate to put it like, it's like this very 191 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:34,000 Speaker 3: mild thing, but you're losing an ankle. So your ability 192 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:37,559 Speaker 3: to relearn to walk and to run and to do 193 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:41,559 Speaker 3: all the activities you did before is probably as far 194 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:44,520 Speaker 3: as losing a limb. One of the easiest and quickest 195 00:11:44,559 --> 00:11:49,200 Speaker 3: rehab procedures. When you start talking about arm amputations are 196 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 3: above the knee amputations on your legs. It's a much 197 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:57,160 Speaker 3: different struggle for me. I know my physical therapist at 198 00:11:57,280 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 3: Brook Army Medical Center at the Center for the Ent, 199 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:02,360 Speaker 3: and I know he was just tired of me. Every 200 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:04,720 Speaker 3: day I'd come in and hey, when can I leave? 201 00:12:04,920 --> 00:12:08,120 Speaker 3: You know, my unit had gone back overseas for another rotation. 202 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:12,840 Speaker 3: And that's where you really start to struggle with where 203 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 3: you are in life, and you start to have those 204 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:17,679 Speaker 3: thoughts that creep into your head because you feel like 205 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 3: you're letting down your men and your women that you lead. 206 00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:24,120 Speaker 3: And so every day, when can I get out of here? 207 00:12:24,160 --> 00:12:25,520 Speaker 3: What do I need to do to get out of here? 208 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:29,280 Speaker 3: So ten months almost to the day I was checking out, 209 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:32,800 Speaker 3: I was running, I was scuba diving, sky diving, and 210 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 3: I actually did my first airborne operation with the Army 211 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:40,120 Speaker 3: again and did my first jump back up in Colorado 212 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:43,920 Speaker 3: Springs with tenth Group. And stayed on active duty for 213 00:12:43,960 --> 00:12:48,280 Speaker 3: a few years after that and went back overseas and 214 00:12:48,400 --> 00:12:54,120 Speaker 3: many more airborne operations and physical pt physical training. Everything 215 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 3: stay the same pretty much. 216 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:59,120 Speaker 1: It must be amazingly strong. 217 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:02,560 Speaker 3: I'm amazingly hardheaded, sir. 218 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:06,040 Speaker 1: I'll take that. My dad became a paratrooper in his 219 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:08,840 Speaker 1: mid forties. He just wanted to do it, to prove 220 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 1: he could do it, he said to me. Afterwards, he 221 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:14,760 Speaker 1: found himself in this airplane with a parachute, and he 222 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 1: looked around and thought, this plane is going to land. 223 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:20,240 Speaker 1: What am I doing? Well? 224 00:13:20,280 --> 00:13:23,680 Speaker 3: You know, I always say, sir, the most accidents with 225 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:26,600 Speaker 3: planes is take off and landing. So I mitigate that 226 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:29,319 Speaker 3: my fifty percent. So here you go. That's the way 227 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:32,320 Speaker 3: to do it. I still die if I'm a die master, 228 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:35,320 Speaker 3: not for the military but for civilian line of die master, 229 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:37,559 Speaker 3: And you know, I try to stay as active as 230 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:39,720 Speaker 3: I can. I'm getting a little older, but I still 231 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:40,320 Speaker 3: try to do it. 232 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, you're a skydiver, a scuba diver, a motorcycle rider. 233 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:46,840 Speaker 1: You've really managed to maintain a very active life. 234 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:48,679 Speaker 3: Yes, sir, I tried to. 235 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: But with all that, you found that when you were 236 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: back home and you're non adapted home, that there were 237 00:13:56,120 --> 00:13:59,800 Speaker 1: things that actually made life much harder. Can you describe that? 238 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:04,680 Speaker 3: Yes, sir. While I was in the application process with 239 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:08,439 Speaker 3: homes for our troops, that is one thing I applaud 240 00:14:08,840 --> 00:14:11,320 Speaker 3: to homes for our troops. I started out with homes 241 00:14:11,320 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 3: for our troops once I did a lot of research 242 00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:15,600 Speaker 3: by trying to get my buddies that I knew because 243 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:18,319 Speaker 3: from being at the Center for the Intrepid, I knew 244 00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 3: a lot of guys and there's a lot of pride 245 00:14:20,240 --> 00:14:23,600 Speaker 3: in the community. Guys just don't want to reach out, 246 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:26,120 Speaker 3: don't want to take a hand me down or whatever 247 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:28,440 Speaker 3: you want to call it, right, And so that's how 248 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 3: I kind of got into the organization, was pushing a 249 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 3: lot of these men and women to reach out to 250 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:36,560 Speaker 3: homes for our troops. But back to my story, when 251 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:41,600 Speaker 3: I was finally in the process, myself I had a 252 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 3: bad slip on the stairs on my well. People say 253 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 3: your good leg or your bad leg, And when they're 254 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:50,040 Speaker 3: talking about my bad leg, they're talking about my prosthetics side. 255 00:14:50,040 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 3: But I always have to tell them that's actually my 256 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:56,200 Speaker 3: good leg. So I've had knee replacement on my good leg. 257 00:14:56,960 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 3: But I had a bad slip and fall and twisted 258 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:02,120 Speaker 3: my go pretty bad and twisted my knee a little 259 00:15:02,120 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 3: bit and bruised my back and it was a nasty fall. 260 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 3: It really drove home why homes for our troops designs 261 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:14,920 Speaker 3: their homes the way they do, and the importance of 262 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 3: the mission that they have to get warriors into safer, 263 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 3: better homes for longevity. This is your retirement home. This 264 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 3: is the home that hey, yeah, I can skydive, I 265 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:30,360 Speaker 3: can run, jump, do whatever I want to do right now, 266 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:32,360 Speaker 3: But what does life look like in thirty years? And 267 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 3: these homes are designed and built to one last thirty 268 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 3: years and to sustain my life when I am thirty 269 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 3: years older. 270 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:45,400 Speaker 1: This moves into what will be the home for you 271 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:46,520 Speaker 1: or for another veteran. 272 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:49,880 Speaker 3: Yes, sir, I started out with my choice and something 273 00:15:49,880 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 3: to kind of hit on what Tom was saying earlier. No, 274 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:55,280 Speaker 3: I originally was asking to build a home in Montana. 275 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:57,880 Speaker 3: That's where I thought I was going to retire. I 276 00:15:57,920 --> 00:16:01,000 Speaker 3: love the community, I love the area, but it wasn't 277 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:05,040 Speaker 3: the type of community for longevity. Again, I'm getting a 278 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 3: house to retire and to live the rest of my 279 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:08,200 Speaker 3: life in. 280 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:10,360 Speaker 2: Where is that? 281 00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:12,920 Speaker 3: What does that look like? And there's a community in 282 00:16:13,040 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 3: Texas that is an amazing community of warriors. Tom can 283 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:20,280 Speaker 3: probably say how many homes we now have in the 284 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:24,720 Speaker 3: area in Spring Branch, Texas. I'm wanting to say, it's 285 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 3: getting to be up in the double digits, if not already. 286 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:31,000 Speaker 3: And you know, there's a brotherhood there in that community. 287 00:16:31,480 --> 00:16:37,960 Speaker 3: And I quickly realized that that's what life is after work, retirement, 288 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:39,640 Speaker 3: wherever you want to call it, right, is to have 289 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 3: that brotherhood. 290 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 2: And you know, I don't have to live in. 291 00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:45,800 Speaker 3: The city, but I'm also close enough to get back 292 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:47,920 Speaker 3: to Brooke Army Medical Center, to get to the Center 293 00:16:47,920 --> 00:16:49,920 Speaker 3: for the Intrepid, so all the places where I have 294 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 3: done all my medical care. So it just really made sense. 295 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:55,000 Speaker 3: And homes for our troops did not blink an eye 296 00:16:55,040 --> 00:16:58,160 Speaker 3: when I came back after the fact and said, hey, guys, 297 00:16:58,560 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 3: I don't think I want to live in Montana long term, 298 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:02,280 Speaker 3: I want to live in Texas, and this is the 299 00:17:02,280 --> 00:17:05,240 Speaker 3: area I'd like to move to in Texas. And just 300 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 3: another fact about homes for our shoops for just how 301 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:09,560 Speaker 3: amazing that organization is. 302 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 1: What are the major adaptations that made your home different 303 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:17,320 Speaker 1: than it would have been if you're just going out 304 00:17:17,320 --> 00:17:18,400 Speaker 1: commercially and bought a home. 305 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,480 Speaker 3: Oh my gosh, nid how long do we have here? 306 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 3: Doors automatically opening close? So if you're in a wheelchair, 307 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:29,520 Speaker 3: you push a button on the wall, actually a censor 308 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 3: on the wall, and the door's opening closed. And you 309 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:34,320 Speaker 3: can choose what doors you want that on. And you 310 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:36,600 Speaker 3: can have multiple doors, or you can have no doors, 311 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:40,600 Speaker 3: that's your choice. Cabinet shelving that you reach up on 312 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:42,800 Speaker 3: the cabinet shelving and you pull it down to you. 313 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:46,680 Speaker 3: So again, everything in this home is accessible for a 314 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:51,639 Speaker 3: wheelchair a warrior in a wheelchair. All the counters are hollow, 315 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 3: meaning you can roll under them, including your stove, your 316 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:58,639 Speaker 3: kitchen sink. So I can be in a wheelchair and 317 00:17:58,760 --> 00:18:02,719 Speaker 3: reach up to the very cabinet above the countertop and 318 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:05,600 Speaker 3: pull my shelf down to me and pick anything I 319 00:18:05,680 --> 00:18:09,920 Speaker 3: need going back to something that Tom said earlier, ever evolving, 320 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:12,040 Speaker 3: this is a fluid design on these homes. 321 00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:13,280 Speaker 2: Water at the. 322 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:17,440 Speaker 3: Stove sounds simple, right, but something that people don't think about. 323 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:20,679 Speaker 3: But when you're in a wheelchair transferring to get a 324 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:23,760 Speaker 3: water at the kitchen sink moving over to the stove. 325 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 3: Now I'm willing right and I've got a pot of 326 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:27,320 Speaker 3: water and I'm trying to get it to the stove. 327 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:30,520 Speaker 3: What they did is they put a arm that's tied 328 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 3: into your water supply that now you reach up, you 329 00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:35,560 Speaker 3: put your pot down, you turn the arm over, it 330 00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:38,640 Speaker 3: turn the knob water right there at the stove. That's 331 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:41,560 Speaker 3: actually a modification that came out not too long ago. 332 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:44,320 Speaker 3: If I'm not mistaken, Tom, I'd say within the last 333 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:49,920 Speaker 3: four years. If I'm correct. On that shower the bathroom alone, 334 00:18:50,240 --> 00:18:54,600 Speaker 3: goodness gracious, it's sometimes I think getting up and taking 335 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:56,880 Speaker 3: a shower and it's kind of a weird thing to say, 336 00:18:56,920 --> 00:18:59,840 Speaker 3: but going into my bathroom every morning is probably to 337 00:18:59,880 --> 00:19:01,680 Speaker 3: the day what I still wake up and be like, 338 00:19:01,760 --> 00:19:04,359 Speaker 3: this is a dream. Who's gonna pinch me? And this 339 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:07,640 Speaker 3: is all going to go away? Is just beautiful. Multiple 340 00:19:07,680 --> 00:19:10,040 Speaker 3: shower heads so you can take a shower sitting on 341 00:19:10,080 --> 00:19:11,919 Speaker 3: a bench, or you can take a shower of the center. 342 00:19:12,280 --> 00:19:15,320 Speaker 3: You can stand if you want, sit if you want again, 343 00:19:15,440 --> 00:19:19,560 Speaker 3: room to maneuver into the bathroom if you're in a wheelchair, 344 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:23,200 Speaker 3: ability to roll under the counter to get to the sink. 345 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:27,920 Speaker 3: All ranch style homes, so no steps anywhere in the home, 346 00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:32,480 Speaker 3: So from transition from driveway to garage and anywhere in 347 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:34,840 Speaker 3: the house is all one level, one floor with no 348 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:38,200 Speaker 3: transitions at all, so complete, smooth. Obviously there's a little 349 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:40,359 Speaker 3: bit at the door where you have to keep the 350 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:44,800 Speaker 3: critters and breeze out, but all just smooth transition rolling 351 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:46,000 Speaker 3: around inside that house. 352 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:49,879 Speaker 1: What did it feel the day you finally got the 353 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:52,600 Speaker 1: keys to your new home? How did you feel? 354 00:19:53,920 --> 00:19:59,960 Speaker 3: Beachless? Just this is not a homes for our tree 355 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 3: troops and the warrior process homes far troops starts years 356 00:20:06,280 --> 00:20:09,720 Speaker 3: before whatever that process takes, and they are reaching out 357 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:14,520 Speaker 3: to the community. So this is the community's ability to 358 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:18,119 Speaker 3: get involved with the warrior that's moving into their neighborhood 359 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:22,879 Speaker 3: and they participate in the groundbreaking, they participate in the landscaping, 360 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:26,240 Speaker 3: they get to come to the initial ceremony that you 361 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:29,440 Speaker 3: go to of the awarding of the home to the warrior. 362 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:34,520 Speaker 3: So during this process a year, before you ever even 363 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:38,400 Speaker 3: step foot into your house, you've already met your neighbors. 364 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:40,400 Speaker 2: So the day of your. 365 00:20:40,359 --> 00:20:45,399 Speaker 3: Key turning ceremony, your actual awarding ceremony, it is not 366 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:48,680 Speaker 3: just Tom and a couple other people from age five 367 00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:51,639 Speaker 3: and maybe you know a couple people from the media. 368 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:55,960 Speaker 3: It is the police department, the fire department, your neighbors. 369 00:20:56,720 --> 00:21:01,360 Speaker 3: In Texas. We have ATBs, we have other big companies 370 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:04,040 Speaker 3: that are known in Texas, and you know that's part 371 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:09,880 Speaker 3: of their like community give back process. You have school 372 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 3: kids that will be able to come out and get 373 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:14,280 Speaker 3: part of their community hours that they are working on. 374 00:21:15,240 --> 00:21:20,399 Speaker 3: So with all that said, it's this huge community group 375 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:24,760 Speaker 3: hug and welcoming before you even step foot in your home, 376 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:28,119 Speaker 3: you already feel like you're part of it, you know. 377 00:21:28,840 --> 00:21:32,760 Speaker 3: And I've never had that and seen that. It was 378 00:21:32,760 --> 00:21:35,399 Speaker 3: a very emotional day, and I don't know that it 379 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 3: would affect any body yels differently. It's not just emotional 380 00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:41,960 Speaker 3: for the warrior, it's emotional for the community, for everybody, 381 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:44,880 Speaker 3: but the volunteers that have come out to help out. 382 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:50,040 Speaker 3: It's just a very emotional day, And like I said, Sir, 383 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:54,960 Speaker 3: I to this day sometimes still pinch myself and is 384 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:56,480 Speaker 3: it real I've only been. 385 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:56,840 Speaker 2: In my house. 386 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,480 Speaker 3: I'm coming on my second year this June sixth. I'll 387 00:21:59,520 --> 00:22:01,520 Speaker 3: never forget the day because it's the anniversary of D 388 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:04,800 Speaker 3: Day June six and June sixth of this year will 389 00:22:04,840 --> 00:22:05,680 Speaker 3: be my second year. 390 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:25,080 Speaker 1: Let me ask you, Tom, and you decided to go 391 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:28,679 Speaker 1: to work for this operation. What is there about homes 392 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:32,479 Speaker 1: for our troops that attracted you? And what is it 393 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:36,159 Speaker 1: that you wish every American understood? How about homes for 394 00:22:36,240 --> 00:22:36,760 Speaker 1: our troops? 395 00:22:38,560 --> 00:22:41,359 Speaker 2: That's a great question, sir. It's a huge family that 396 00:22:41,520 --> 00:22:45,680 Speaker 2: just continues to grow. As Yancey mentioned at the key 397 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:49,600 Speaker 2: ceremony day, we'll do all the pomp and circumstance, and 398 00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:52,879 Speaker 2: we'll run up a US flag on the flagpole to 399 00:22:52,880 --> 00:22:56,400 Speaker 2: signify and transfer to a military veteran, and we'll cut 400 00:22:56,440 --> 00:22:59,639 Speaker 2: a ribbon, give them a ceremonial key, let him go 401 00:22:59,680 --> 00:23:02,280 Speaker 2: into the home. And then everybody attends gets to go 402 00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:03,440 Speaker 2: in the home and take a look at all the 403 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:08,240 Speaker 2: adaptations and everything and see what they're supporting. But when 404 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:10,600 Speaker 2: everybody's leaving, we got a few staff there and we're 405 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:15,399 Speaker 2: all cleaning everything up. When everything's done, it's always myself 406 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:17,600 Speaker 2: or one of our other age five staff that end 407 00:23:17,720 --> 00:23:20,320 Speaker 2: up going to the veterans saying, well, we're done, pow, 408 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:24,560 Speaker 2: here's the keys. We'll be in touch, and then we 409 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 2: walk away. As Yancey said, most of them are absolutely speechless. 410 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:33,399 Speaker 2: It's extremely emotional. They've been given a home. None of 411 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:36,440 Speaker 2: them would have ever asked for it. Matter of fact, 412 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:38,399 Speaker 2: every single one of these veterans will tell you they 413 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:43,240 Speaker 2: don't deserve it. As Yancey was trying to describe the 414 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:47,600 Speaker 2: incident that led to his current physical state, most of 415 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:49,600 Speaker 2: them would say, hey, I just had a bad day 416 00:23:49,640 --> 00:23:54,440 Speaker 2: at work. Some of our Marien young men that were 417 00:23:54,440 --> 00:23:57,480 Speaker 2: in Fallujah in different places like that, would say, I 418 00:23:57,600 --> 00:24:01,080 Speaker 2: just kicked in the wrong door. They're not looking backward. 419 00:24:01,240 --> 00:24:04,920 Speaker 2: They don't have regrets. I always ask them, if you 420 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:06,960 Speaker 2: had it to do all over again, knowing everything you 421 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:09,320 Speaker 2: know now, would you still do everything you did? And 422 00:24:09,359 --> 00:24:12,480 Speaker 2: they always answer yes. And that's the type you can tell. 423 00:24:12,520 --> 00:24:14,879 Speaker 2: The type you know, sir, You know the type that 424 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:17,399 Speaker 2: we have in the military. You know the ones that 425 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:19,919 Speaker 2: raise their hand and volunteer to serve, and they're just 426 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:23,360 Speaker 2: like Yancy. He's just one of the many thousands upon 427 00:24:23,480 --> 00:24:26,440 Speaker 2: thousands that we have out there. It's not about them, 428 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:28,919 Speaker 2: it's about those to the left and right of them 429 00:24:28,960 --> 00:24:31,480 Speaker 2: and supporting them and want to try and get everybody back. 430 00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:34,760 Speaker 2: And that's why he talks about before I signed up, 431 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:37,240 Speaker 2: I want to make sure everybody I knew signed up, 432 00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:39,920 Speaker 2: and then I'll go last. It's kind of like when 433 00:24:39,920 --> 00:24:42,520 Speaker 2: you go out and near a military unit and you 434 00:24:42,560 --> 00:24:45,399 Speaker 2: go to chow and you go to eat, or the 435 00:24:45,480 --> 00:24:47,640 Speaker 2: last one that goes through the line is the commander. 436 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:50,800 Speaker 2: All the troops eat in the commander goes last. And 437 00:24:50,840 --> 00:24:52,439 Speaker 2: that's just the way these guys are. They want to 438 00:24:52,440 --> 00:24:55,160 Speaker 2: take care of everybody else. They'll never ask for anything. 439 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:58,560 Speaker 2: They don't think they deserve it, but our country owes 440 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:01,199 Speaker 2: it to them. I'm just knowing that we're going to 441 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:03,639 Speaker 2: be able to achieve those kinds of things and be 442 00:25:03,680 --> 00:25:07,679 Speaker 2: able to rehab and recover in a safe and accessible 443 00:25:07,760 --> 00:25:10,480 Speaker 2: environment that keeps us going. We love it here. I've 444 00:25:10,520 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 2: got about seventy teammates here in Taunton, Massachusetts that run 445 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:17,080 Speaker 2: this place and do all the work across the country, 446 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:19,880 Speaker 2: and they're all in it for the right reason. They 447 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:21,480 Speaker 2: all have a heart for this mission. 448 00:25:22,200 --> 00:25:27,040 Speaker 1: Buildings. I'm fascinated byas it goes beyond the house into 449 00:25:27,080 --> 00:25:29,959 Speaker 1: the process of helping them live in the home. And 450 00:25:30,040 --> 00:25:34,200 Speaker 1: you provide, for example, a financial planner for three years 451 00:25:34,600 --> 00:25:37,399 Speaker 1: to help them learn how to plan financially, how to 452 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:41,360 Speaker 1: budget for the household, et cetera. Provide home ownership education. 453 00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:44,560 Speaker 1: This is really a lot more than just building a house. 454 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:50,119 Speaker 1: You're trying to help the veteran literally reacquire a complete life. 455 00:25:51,240 --> 00:25:54,840 Speaker 2: Yes, sir, our tagline is building homes, rebuilding lives again. 456 00:25:54,920 --> 00:25:58,680 Speaker 2: Building homes is that thing, that physical thing that we're 457 00:25:58,680 --> 00:26:01,440 Speaker 2: doing out there that people can really see and walk 458 00:26:01,520 --> 00:26:04,840 Speaker 2: up in touch. But rebuilding lives is the most important 459 00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:08,359 Speaker 2: aspect of what we do. It's what the homes enable 460 00:26:08,480 --> 00:26:11,600 Speaker 2: these veterans to do. It's what drives us every single day, 461 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:13,399 Speaker 2: and that's why we stay in touch with them. The 462 00:26:13,440 --> 00:26:17,040 Speaker 2: part of our organization that continues to grow every couple 463 00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:20,240 Speaker 2: of years because we bring more veterans in is a 464 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 2: group that we call Veterans Support, and they're the ones 465 00:26:23,280 --> 00:26:28,760 Speaker 2: that are constantly emailing, texting, calling these veterans, checking on them, 466 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:31,760 Speaker 2: seeing how things are going. We know what's going on 467 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:34,960 Speaker 2: in their lives. We know what they're participating in. Yancy 468 00:26:35,040 --> 00:26:38,000 Speaker 2: was doing all he could at first to tell you that, well, 469 00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:40,560 Speaker 2: I'm going to go help another nonprofit, but I don't 470 00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:42,119 Speaker 2: really want to say who they are because I'm with 471 00:26:42,160 --> 00:26:44,479 Speaker 2: home for We love it when they go out there 472 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:47,360 Speaker 2: and do that. We could care less that they're out 473 00:26:47,359 --> 00:26:51,640 Speaker 2: there working for another nonprofit and helping warriors. Good on them. 474 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:54,520 Speaker 2: We're private because that's part of rebuilding their lives. When 475 00:26:54,560 --> 00:26:57,359 Speaker 2: they came back. They couldn't even take care of themselves 476 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:00,119 Speaker 2: and living in the homes that they went in to. 477 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:04,000 Speaker 2: They needed assistance. And they're all fiercely independent, just like 478 00:27:04,040 --> 00:27:06,600 Speaker 2: the rest of us are, and they don't want anything special. 479 00:27:07,119 --> 00:27:09,800 Speaker 2: They just want to have what all of us would 480 00:27:09,840 --> 00:27:12,360 Speaker 2: term a normal life. If they're a spouse, they want 481 00:27:12,359 --> 00:27:14,960 Speaker 2: to be a normal spouse that helps out. If they're 482 00:27:14,960 --> 00:27:16,879 Speaker 2: a parent, they want to be a normal parent that 483 00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:18,880 Speaker 2: does all the things with their kids that we did 484 00:27:18,880 --> 00:27:21,480 Speaker 2: as our kids grew up. If they're in a community, 485 00:27:21,480 --> 00:27:24,280 Speaker 2: they want to be a valued, contributing member of the community, 486 00:27:24,920 --> 00:27:26,919 Speaker 2: and that's what these homes enable them to do. It 487 00:27:26,960 --> 00:27:32,040 Speaker 2: really provides again that safe and very accessible space that 488 00:27:32,080 --> 00:27:34,720 Speaker 2: they can rehab and recover him. Because a lot of 489 00:27:34,760 --> 00:27:37,640 Speaker 2: these guys and gals, as you see them day to day, 490 00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:41,560 Speaker 2: they look like they're moving around pretty well. But what 491 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:43,879 Speaker 2: you don't see is when they get home, and if 492 00:27:43,920 --> 00:27:46,360 Speaker 2: they're in prospects, they're popping these things off because they've 493 00:27:46,359 --> 00:27:49,199 Speaker 2: got to get that residual limb some time to recover. 494 00:27:49,720 --> 00:27:53,320 Speaker 2: And sometimes all it will take is simple pimple or 495 00:27:53,359 --> 00:27:56,119 Speaker 2: an ingrown hair, and it'll take these studly guys and 496 00:27:56,160 --> 00:27:59,520 Speaker 2: got it down to a knee quickly, and it'll take 497 00:27:59,560 --> 00:28:01,800 Speaker 2: them a few or maybe even weeks to get all 498 00:28:01,800 --> 00:28:03,359 Speaker 2: that fixed up to where they can get back in 499 00:28:03,359 --> 00:28:06,280 Speaker 2: their prosthetic and move around again. But these homes allow 500 00:28:06,359 --> 00:28:08,639 Speaker 2: them the ability to get in a chair. He can 501 00:28:08,720 --> 00:28:11,000 Speaker 2: do a three sixty anywhere he wants inside his home 502 00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:13,600 Speaker 2: in a wheelchair. Just terrific. 503 00:28:14,280 --> 00:28:18,120 Speaker 1: Generally, what are the communities like when they hear that 504 00:28:18,119 --> 00:28:19,960 Speaker 1: that's what you're doing. When you come in a community 505 00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:22,280 Speaker 1: and you say we're going to build a home for veterans, 506 00:28:22,800 --> 00:28:25,280 Speaker 1: what kind of reaction do you generally get from the community. 507 00:28:26,320 --> 00:28:30,520 Speaker 2: Sir, I have traveled this country all across it, all 508 00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:33,280 Speaker 2: the way to Alaska, across the states. Like I say, 509 00:28:33,280 --> 00:28:36,520 Speaker 2: we built in forty six, I have yet to run 510 00:28:36,520 --> 00:28:40,160 Speaker 2: into a community that wasn't supportive of military veterans. We 511 00:28:40,200 --> 00:28:43,440 Speaker 2: may have some differences in our country that tend to 512 00:28:43,480 --> 00:28:45,800 Speaker 2: show us half on one side and half on another 513 00:28:45,960 --> 00:28:50,120 Speaker 2: different issues, but on supporting our veterans, that's where I 514 00:28:50,120 --> 00:28:52,400 Speaker 2: see everybody kind of lined up and saluting the flag. 515 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:55,000 Speaker 2: Everybody wants to come out and support this veteran, and 516 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:57,640 Speaker 2: I always tell them the most important thing you can 517 00:28:57,640 --> 00:28:59,480 Speaker 2: do as a community is wrap your arms around his 518 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:02,360 Speaker 2: veteran because they chose to live right here with you. 519 00:29:02,760 --> 00:29:04,560 Speaker 2: They couldn't lived anywhere they wanted to. We would have 520 00:29:04,560 --> 00:29:06,960 Speaker 2: built that home somewhere else, but they chose to live 521 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:10,240 Speaker 2: right there. So community come out and help them because 522 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:12,040 Speaker 2: they're not going to be able to completely rebuild their 523 00:29:12,040 --> 00:29:14,479 Speaker 2: lives by themselves. It's going to take the community and 524 00:29:14,520 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 2: they will get involved. Only about twenty percent of our 525 00:29:17,800 --> 00:29:20,880 Speaker 2: veterans have the ability, the time stuff to go out 526 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:23,640 Speaker 2: and volunteer in their local communities before they move into 527 00:29:23,640 --> 00:29:25,800 Speaker 2: one of our homes. After moving in, they goes up 528 00:29:25,800 --> 00:29:26,640 Speaker 2: to eighty one percent. 529 00:29:27,160 --> 00:29:31,080 Speaker 1: Wow, that's amazing. Yes, I know you will have your 530 00:29:31,120 --> 00:29:33,880 Speaker 1: own project now, that is very exciting. Share with us 531 00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:34,920 Speaker 1: what you're working. 532 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:38,920 Speaker 3: On, Yes, sir, I have been very fortunate to join 533 00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:43,760 Speaker 3: the ranks of an organization, nonprofit organization called Wounded Warrior Outdoors. 534 00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:48,000 Speaker 3: And what we do is we take wounded servicemen and women, 535 00:29:48,440 --> 00:29:50,760 Speaker 3: just like the title says, we get them back out 536 00:29:50,760 --> 00:29:56,120 Speaker 3: into the outdoors, hunting, fishing. We do trips in British Columbia, 537 00:29:56,240 --> 00:29:58,960 Speaker 3: we do trips in Alaska all the way out onto 538 00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:02,680 Speaker 3: the Aleutian Island, and then we do trips down in 539 00:30:02,760 --> 00:30:06,480 Speaker 3: Florida on the East coast westcast. We had trips all 540 00:30:06,520 --> 00:30:10,400 Speaker 3: over and just like we talked about here, never met 541 00:30:10,400 --> 00:30:15,000 Speaker 3: a community that wasn't just arms outreached and bringing us in. 542 00:30:15,760 --> 00:30:18,720 Speaker 3: One of the big things about the organization is a 543 00:30:18,760 --> 00:30:21,400 Speaker 3: lot of these men and women sometimes after their injury, 544 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:26,400 Speaker 3: we'll just stay at home, kind of recluse on a 545 00:30:26,480 --> 00:30:29,480 Speaker 3: video game, stuff like that. And that's our mission is 546 00:30:29,480 --> 00:30:31,680 Speaker 3: to get these men and women back out into the sunlight, 547 00:30:31,720 --> 00:30:34,360 Speaker 3: get them back out doors, and get them around other 548 00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:37,440 Speaker 3: fellow warriors. Some of these guys may go back home 549 00:30:37,480 --> 00:30:40,400 Speaker 3: where there are no other warriors around after being in 550 00:30:40,440 --> 00:30:43,760 Speaker 3: that type of community and going back to just reintegrating 551 00:30:43,800 --> 00:30:47,320 Speaker 3: into what we call civilian life. Some people have a 552 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:50,080 Speaker 3: hard time adapting to that, and so we try to 553 00:30:50,160 --> 00:30:53,400 Speaker 3: get them back out there with their fellow servicemen and women, 554 00:30:54,160 --> 00:30:57,520 Speaker 3: and back out doors fresh air and sunlight does amazing 555 00:30:57,600 --> 00:30:58,160 Speaker 3: for the soul. 556 00:30:58,800 --> 00:31:03,040 Speaker 1: That's greatly appreciate what you're doing, what you're sharing with us. 557 00:31:03,720 --> 00:31:06,120 Speaker 1: Tom and Nancy, I want to thank both of you 558 00:31:06,160 --> 00:31:09,520 Speaker 1: for joining me. This is I think a very patriotic, 559 00:31:10,520 --> 00:31:15,840 Speaker 1: very emotionally compelling story. Our listeners can learn more about 560 00:31:15,880 --> 00:31:19,560 Speaker 1: the work Homes for our Troops is doing by visiting 561 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:27,360 Speaker 1: your website at h FO t USA dot org and 562 00:31:27,960 --> 00:31:30,960 Speaker 1: they can learn how to get involved in helping rebuild 563 00:31:31,040 --> 00:31:33,800 Speaker 1: veterans lives. I'm so grateful to both of you for 564 00:31:34,160 --> 00:31:37,120 Speaker 1: sharing with us, for being here. I'm grateful to you 565 00:31:37,200 --> 00:31:40,480 Speaker 1: for your service to America. This has really been a 566 00:31:40,640 --> 00:31:42,040 Speaker 1: very powerful conversation. 567 00:31:42,640 --> 00:31:45,000 Speaker 2: Sir. Thank you so much for having us and helping 568 00:31:45,040 --> 00:31:46,240 Speaker 2: spread awareness of our mission. 569 00:31:46,280 --> 00:31:49,080 Speaker 3: It really helps a lot. We appreciate yes, sir, thank 570 00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:51,480 Speaker 3: you very much. Just like Tom said, we appreciate it. 571 00:31:51,480 --> 00:31:54,400 Speaker 3: We appreciate you helping get the word out there. Thank you. 572 00:31:59,360 --> 00:32:03,200 Speaker 1: Thank you to my Brigadier General Tom Landor Meyer and 573 00:32:03,480 --> 00:32:08,280 Speaker 1: Yancey Behar. Newtsworld is produced by Gingrid three sixty and iHeartMedia. 574 00:32:08,840 --> 00:32:14,200 Speaker 1: Our executive producer is Guernsey Slum. Our researcher is Rachel Peterson. 575 00:32:14,720 --> 00:32:17,880 Speaker 1: The artwork for the show was created by Steve Penley. 576 00:32:18,560 --> 00:32:21,959 Speaker 1: Special thanks to the team at gingrigh three sixteen. If 577 00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:24,560 Speaker 1: you've been enjoying Newtsworld, I hope you'll go to Apple 578 00:32:24,600 --> 00:32:27,880 Speaker 1: Podcast and both rate us with five stars and give 579 00:32:27,960 --> 00:32:31,600 Speaker 1: us a review so others can learn what it's all about. 580 00:32:31,840 --> 00:32:35,360 Speaker 1: Join me on substack at Gingrid three sixteen dot net. 581 00:32:35,880 --> 00:32:38,240 Speaker 1: I'm new Gingrich. This is Newtsworld.