Several members and leaders of The Woodlands community gathered Nov. 13 to break ground on a new home in The Woodlands, a small token to give back to a man who had already sacrificed so much for his country.
The nonprofit group, Helping a Hero helped organize construction of a new home for former U.S. Army Cpt. Will Lyles, who lost both of his legs below the knees in Afghanistan in August 2010, said the group's national chairwoman, Meredith Iler. The 2,800-square-foot, wheelchair accessible home in the Almondell neighborhood in May Valley should be completed in June 2014, Iler said. Land for the home was donated by The Woodlands Development Company, while Chesmar Homes is building the home at a discount. Woodforest Foundation is fronting $100,000 for costs for the home, Iler said.
Founded in 2006, Helping a Hero has helped build 100 homes for wounded veterans in 22 different states, Iler said. Two homes have already been constructed for wounded veterans in Montgomery County, while Lyles' home is one of three currently under construction within the county.
"What motivates all of us to do this is to do something tangible for these wounded warriors for the sacrifices they made for their country," Iler said. "America will be moving forward in a few years, and we don't want these wounded warriors to be forgotten. They'll have 60-years plus of facing these daily challenges, the things that you and I take for granted."
