Paul and Gwen Kelly at the Heroes to homeowners presentation

When terrorists attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, Paul Kelly knew that his calling was to serve his country. Paul was placed in active duty in 2007, and was deployed to Germany and Iraq during his military career. One day, while based in Kuwait at Camp Buering, a building fell upon Paul and a fellow soldier. In his attempt to rescue his comrade, Paul suffered bone and nerve damage, which eventually led to a medical discharge in 2013.

During his medical rehabilitation before his discharge, Paul applied, and was approved for, a financial grant from Freedom Alliance. On May 29, 2014, Freedom Alliance partnered with U.S. Bank to further assist in Paul’s recovery, and to honor him for his service and sacrifice.

U.S. Bank Tuscon Manager, Wardell “Buck” Brown, stated “U.S. Bank is extremely proud to partner with Freedom Alliance and present this home to Sergeant Kelly, a veteran who valiantly served our country.”

The two organizations collaborated to provide Paul and his family with the key to a newly-renovated and mortgage-free home of their own. This contribution is a part of Freedom Alliance’s Heroes to Homeowners program, which strives to find homes for the families of injured military veterans. Freedom Alliance understands that economic and home stability is critical for the transition back into civilian life, and therefore seeks to ease that transition through the Heroes to Homeowners program.

The year leading up to the presentation was very demanding upon Paul and his family. They live in Boulder City, Nevada, but regularly make the trip to the VA in Las Vegas for rehabilitation, a 45 mile drive. Paul’s wife, Gwen, has helped smooth that road: According to Paul, Gwen is “very educated—she is very sweet, spiritual, and takes great care of me and my daughter.”

Thanks to Freedom Alliance and U.S. Bank, that road is about to get even smoother for Paul, Gwen, and their family.

“When we get settled,” Paul told us, “Gwen and I want to reach out and help people, maybe some injured guys to help them with the system and just help them get through the day—like Freedom Alliance has done for me.”

“Paul Kelly is one of those great Americans who heard and followed President Kennedy’s famous exhortation to ‘ask what you can do for your country,” said Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon. “When our nation needed volunteers, Paul was among those who heeded the call. We’re proud to partner with U.S. Bank and offer Sgt. Kelly this home as recognition for his service and sacrifice.”

Welcome home, Paul!

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