LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — A Purple Heart veteran and his family now have a brand-new place to call home, mortgage free.
U.S. Army Sergeant Javier Torres saw his new house for the first time on Wednesday.
What You Need To Know
- Army Sgt. Javier Torres is a Purple Heart veteran who was wounded in Afghanistan
- He and his family now have a mortgage-free home in Land O’ Lakes
- Operation Finally Home partnered with Pulte Group to build and furnish the home
Torres, his wife Stephanie and their three young daughters are going from a two-bedroom apartment to a four-bedroom home in Land O’ Lakes.
“It’s amazing,” Stephanie said. “We come from a small apartment with one bathroom. And we’re all girls.”
Torres is a Purple Heart veteran who was wounded while serving in Afghanistan. He recalled the day his convoy came under attack.
“I got out of the vehicle. I got shot one time,” Torres said in an interview at his new house. “I got back in, and I’m shot again — wasn’t sure what happened.”
As he recovered and started a family, Torres connected with Operation Finally Home, which helps wounded veterans get into a home with no mortgage.
Homebuilder Pulte Group partnered with them through their Built To Honor program. They built the new home and even furnished it for the family as a surprise.
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“It’s an honor for us to be partnered and give back to our veterans,” said West Florida Division President, Sean Strickler.
Torres and his family held back tears as they toured the home together on Wednesday after a ceremony dedicating the home.
With no more burden of rent or a mortgage, Torres now has a new mission: Looking after his family in their new life together.
“This is like a dream come true,” Torres said. “Beyond a dream come true.”