Lancaster, Pa. — Volunteers gathered to help finish a brand new home built by Homes for Our Troops (HFOT) for Army SSG Matthew DeWitt late last month in Hopkinton, N.H., with distributor Belknap White and Nashua, N.H., retailer Nashua Wallpaper and Paint Carpet One joining together with Armstrong Floor Products to donate flooring and installation.
All homes are built by HFOT mortgage-free to the veteran through the support of individuals, foundations and corporate contributors.
“Having a house that is built around my needs so I can have an easier time doing day-to-day things will help ease some of the stress and frustration that comes from having a severe disability for me and my family, ” said Army SSG DeWitt, who also thanked supporters of Homes for Our Troops for contributing to make this possible.
Armstrong, as the exclusive flooring supplier to HFOT, provided floors for the home. Belknap White donated 50% of the cost of the flooring for this home and local retailer Nashua Wallpaper and Paint Carpet One donated the installation. Rebecca Keiler, Armstrong sales rep and husband John Keiler, as well as Armstrong sales rep Bob Watters were among the volunteers.
While on his first deployment on the night of July 22, 2003, in Khalidiyah, Iraq, SSG DeWitt and members of the 4th Battalion, 64thArmor Regiment, 3ID came under enemy attack and exchanged heavy firefight. In the ensuing chaos as SSG DeWitt was positioning to take down a suspected enemy’s house, his weapon was struck by a rocket propelled grenade. The hit left SSG DeWitt with devastating injuries resulting in the amputation of both arms below the elbow, damage to his eardrums and extensive skin grafts to his face, legs and arms.
The key ceremony for SSG DeWitt is scheduled for Saturday Nov. 8, 2014, at 11 a.m.