The Shadow
GLASGOW, VA (VR) – Founded by two combat-wounded Veterans, Purple Heart Homes brings communities together to ensure every Veteran can live safely, independently, and with dignity through housing solutions that meet their changing needs.
Purple Heart Homes’ (Healing hearts one home at a time) purpose is to build awareness, mobilize communities, and create safe housing solutions for our service-connected disabled Veterans of all eras. Their vision is to work toward making sure all Veterans have a place to call home. Guided by the military ethos of “leaving no one behind,” its mission is to honor service-connected disabled veterans of all eras (from WWII to present day) by providing safe, barrier-free housing and community support.
Purple Heart Homes provides housing assistance through three main programs and housing solutions:
Veterans Aging in Place (VAIP) helps service-connected disabled veterans stay safely in homes they already own by adding accessibility features like wheelchair ramps, grab bars, widened doorways and accessible bathrooms.
Veteran Home Ownership Program (VHOP) provides renovated, modified or newly built housing options (such as traditional stick-built or cross-laminated timber homes) for service-connected disabled veterans who do not currently own a home.
Modular and Veteran Time Homes (VTH) offer purpose-built, accessible modular homes and traditional stick-built tiny homes placed on permanent block foundations to help veterans facing housing insecurity.
Every project is more than construction. It is about compassion, community and restoring the place Veterans call home.
One such modular home was delivered to Glasgow, Virginia, on October 5th. The house was built on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and transported to Glasgow. The last leg of the journey had a motorcycle escort led by Purple Heart Homes Central Virginia Chapter President, Rex Brust and fellow Harley riders. Harley is known for their love and support for the veteran and their country. The roar of the bikes brought excitement into the air as the truck carrying the home followed.
VFW Post 1033 auxiliary members Linda Morrison and Marian Paxton witnessed firsthand the story being told in every home they build or upgrade for a disabled veteran seeking a new beginning. We witnessed a manufactured home being put in place in a small town with friends, family and neighbors there to be a part of this great story. The community turned out to watch the house going on its foundation and to welcome their new neighbor. The veteran was in Washington, D.C. for the front end of the journey. It was heartwarming to see so many people showing support for a veteran who gave so much to our country.
Our journey to this project began when we met Mike Lennon and had the opportunity to interview him about Purple Heart Homes. Lennon is the Board Chairman for Purple Heart Homes and a veteran. He made it possible for us to be a part of the placement of the veteran’s home in Glasgow, Virginia. Thank you to all the Purple Heart Homes staff for their wonderful hospitality. We received information that can be shared with our VFW Post 1033 family as we strive to do more for area veterans.
Steven Johnson, Executive Director, Purple Heart Homes shared the following: “What began on the National Mall became something even more meaningful when this home arrived in Glasgow. Seeing the community come together to welcome it was a powerful reminder of why we do this work. We are grateful to our local chapters, volunteers, partners and neighbors who made this possible. This is about more than one home. It is about restoring hope, strengthening communities and ensuring our Veterans have a safe place to call home. And there is still so much more work to be done”.
Donations to the Purple Heart Homes can be online at Purple Heart Homes Donation Page or through their Hearts of Honor Club (monthly giving program starting at $25.00 per month) at Purple Heart Homes Hearts of Honor Program or mail checks to Purple Heart Homes, 755 Washington Avenue, Statesville, Virginia 28677-6762.
Jay Thompson from the Purple Heart Homes Rockbridge Patriots Chapter was on hand to take part in the event. The Rockbridge Patriots Chapter includes not only Rockbridge, but Botetourt, August, Alleghany, Highland and Bath Counties. The Chapter is looking for anyone in these counties who would like to get involved as a chapter volunteer in their communities since they have a better knowledge of their needs. Some of the projects Rockbridge assists with include building ramps, installing accessibility features or supporting veterans in the community.
Purple Heart Homes – Rockbridge Patriots Chapter are trying to raise money to do more needed projects for eligible veterans. Donations can be made through www.purplehearthomesusa/rockbridge-patriots or checks can be made out to the chapter name above and mailed to Jay Thompson, 120 Serenity Drive, Glasgow VA 24555. You may know of a veteran in your area who needs some assistance.
