Cory Lewis and his family are presented with a new home in Apopka, Florida

“This house has been such a blessing for us!”

That’s what Sgt. Cory Lewis, a wounded U.S. Marine, said when we visited him on the one-year anniversary of awarding him and his family a mortgage-free home in Apopka, Florida. The gift of the home is one way Freedom Alliance honors those who serve and sacrifice.

“Our family is truly humbled by this gift,” said Cory. “This helps relieve the primary financial burden typical of homeownership and allows for a great start to our boys’ teenage years.”

Since he moved in, Cory has become more involved with other wounded veterans and has acted as a mentor to them. He likes to keep busy and the chores around the house provide him plenty of opportunity.

His wife Dani reports that Cory can routinely be found cleaning the gutters, mowing the lawn and keeping the yard looking sharp. He will sometimes involve other veteran friends as a way to keep them occupied and exercising.

Inside the house, Cory built bunk beds for the couple’s three boys and turned two of the bedrooms into a guest room and a game room for the kids.

Of course, Dani doesn’t let Cory have all the fun. She has been busy painting and refinishing old furniture. She made a sofa for the boys and has poured out her love to make the house a home.

Cory joined the Marines in 2001 and served several tours overseas including a deployment to Iraq. It was during an assignment in Iraq that he and his unit were making their way to Baghdad and were pinned down by heavy weapons during a long firefight which left him with post-traumatic stress. He also suffered back injuries that resulted in multiple spinal surgeries.

The home has greatly improved Cory’s health. His wife Dani said “this house is great for our family.” She said Cory never went outside when they lived in an apartment, but now he is outside all the time, engaged with the neighbors and his new disposition has improved his relations with his wife and his kids.

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