MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- “As a dream becomes a reality, today we come together to dedicate these houses that will assist our wounded comrades and their families,” said Father Timothy Hogan, Roman Catholic chaplain and retired Navy lieutenant commander, during the invocation. “They gave so much for the peace and the security of our nation and now we give back to them.”
A ribbon cutting ceremony took place here March 15, at Paradise Point, where three homes located there were generously donated by Atlantic Marine Corps Communities to Hope for the Warriors.
“This project is great for bringing the community together in support of our wounded Marines,” said Col. Adele E. Hodges, commanding officer of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. “These are our partners out in the community coming to support these Marines and sailors aboard this installation and this is a great partnership.”
The 1,100 square foot houses are to serve the military community much like Fisher Houses that provide free lodging to veterans and military families while service members receive treatment at military medical centers.
Two of the houses, named Warrior Home I and II, will be used to provide families free short-term housing to visit their wounded service member at the Wounded Warrior Barracks and Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital. This includes families of wounded warriors, fallen warriors and wounded stationed elsewhere returning here from deployment for their units’ homecomings. The homes will also be used as transitional adaptive lodging for Wounded Warriors with spouses and children.
“Our mission is very simple, we create people places. We design, develop, build, operate and manage great people places for United States military families,” said Marc Sierra, vice president of Actus Lend Lease.
The Warrior Homes are furnished by donations from local businesses and community members. Each house is a comfortable living space of two bedrooms, office, living room, dining room, kitchen and one bath. The houses are equipped with a full kitchen, laundry facilities, office with a new computer system and internet service, family fun box of toys and games, screened in porch and covered carport.
The Warrior Houses have also been renovated to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act to accommodate temporary residents, so they may spend time there focusing on the needs of their loved ones with little restriction or unnecessary inconveniences.
The third house will serve as the Warrior House Resource Center that will contain an intimate counseling setting and a conference area for the families and use for the Wounded Warrior Spouses’ Support Group. Personnel working there will also attend to the business of governmental and corporate organizations offering assistance to all wounded and fallen service members and their families.
“This is in support of all wounded Marines and their families,” Hodges said.
There are two wounded Marines and their families already scheduled to be the first to occupy the homes.
“These homes are here to make sure the wounded and their families are not alone in their recovery and provide them with people they can turn to in a time of need, through their challenges and to know their sacrifices will never be forgotten,” said Shannon Maxwell, Hope for the Warriors vice president and co-founder. “This was a team endeavor and it will remain that way.”
The Warrior Houses are dedicated to the families of all the wounded and fallen service members with respect and gratitude for the sacrifices they've endured.