Country music star Lee Greenwood, along with Breland Homes, announced plans Thursday to construct a custom-built home for a wounded military veteran in north Alabama.
The project is a partnership with Helping a Hero, a non-profit organization that has awarded more than 100 homes in 23 states to injured veterans in the global war on terror.
It’s part of the All-Star Salute to Lee Greenwood concert in Huntsville on Oct. 12. Greenwood, a Grammy-winning artist, is best known for his hit song “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Helping a Hero has started the “Nominate a Hero” program where the community can nominate a wounded veteran for consideration to be selected as the recipient of the new home. Nomination forms can be found at helpingahero.org.
The veteran will be awarded the home at the concert.
Greenwood said plans for the project began to come together after he met Louis and Patti Breland. Breland homes has been building residences in north Alabama for almost 50 years.
“Helping a Hero has helped provide over 100 homes for veterans and I have served as an ambassador for them for over a decade,” Greenwood said in the announcement. “The work they do is tremendous, especially when you get to hand those keys to a wounded veteran. The reactions are priceless. I know that I am being honored on October 12th and it’s very appreciated, however, after I met Louis and Patti, I knew this was a wonderful opportunity to team together and make a difference. I am honored to share the stage on October 12th to honor a special veteran.”
Louis Breland said he and his wife were eager to be a part of the project.
“When Patti and I met Lee Greenwood and learned about his partnership with Helping a Hero to build homes for our veterans we jumped at the chance to help.” Said Louis Breland. “Our nation’s military and the heroes that fought for our country have a special place in our hearts and we are always looking for opportunities to honor and support them. I can’t think of a better way to do this than to build a home for a wounded warrior in our community.”
Helping a Hero raises funds and works with building partners to design the homes so they are specially adapted to the hero’s needs. Most homes include wider doorways and hallways, roll-in showers, roll under sinks and other adaptations to help our military veterans regain their daily independence after suffering combat related injuries.
“Helping a Hero is excited to partner with Breland Homes to build a specially adapted home for a wounded hero in Alabama,” Meredith Iler, Helping a Hero’s chairman emeritus and founder of its home program, said in the announcement. “We are counting on Alabamians to help us locate a brave and deserving wounded veteran who was injured while serving the country and needs an adapted home. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedom, and this is a way to say ‘thank you for your service.’”
In order to qualify, a veteran must be 100 percent permanently disabled and injured in combat during the post 9-11 Global War on Terror. Click here for more information on the Nominate a Hero project. Click here for more information on the Selection Process.
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