U.S. Marine veteran Luis Valdez sits on the staircase at his family's new home with his wife, two children and the family dog, Charlie. (Courtesy Homes4WoundedHeroes)
A U.S. Marine veteran wounded in combat is settling into a mortgage-free Buda home with his family after receiving the keys through a veteran support program in March.
Zooming in
Sgt. Luis Valadez said he was inspired to enlist in the Marine Corps after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He served five years as a Field Artillery Cannoneer, deploying overseas to Japan and Iraq, where he was wounded in combat.
He was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon and Iraq Campaign Medal, among other honors, according to officials with the Military Warriors Support Foundation, or MWSF.
U.S. Marine veteran Luis Valadez raises the American flag at his family’s new Buda home March 19. (Courtesy Homes4WoundedHeroes)
The details
The Valadez family was escorted to their new home on March 19 by the Austin Patriot Guard Riders, where they were welcomed by neighbors and given the keys. Officials said the move-in-ready home included furniture, decor, a stocked kitchen, customized rooms for the children and a setup for the family’s dog, Charlie.
“We're just so grateful right now,” Valadez said, adding that he and his family are excited to call Buda home.
Zooming out
The home was awarded through the Homes4WoundedHeroes program—a partnership between MWSF and Bank of America. Recipients receive mortgage-free housing and three years of support services, including financial wellness, family support and life planning.
Additional MWSF programs are available for combat veterans, including:
