Groundbreaking Gift for GWOT Warrior
Tony Triola (Congressman Carter office), John Marlin (MorningStar), General Anthony Cucolo, Kelly Raley-HelpingAHero, Tessa Ray, SGT Shane Ray, Matt Roland-Westin Homes
In October 2017, Helping a Hero, Westin Homes and MorningStar joined together to invite the community to nominate a deserving wounded warrior who was injured in the Global War on Terror to receive a Westin Home in the MorningStar Community. Out of the applications submitted, SGT James “Shane” Ray, USA and his family were selected. Ray is married with two children, one of whom has special needs.
On February 9, with special guests General Tony Cucolo, TX Representative Terry Wilson, Commissioner Valerie Covey and surrounding by dozens of friends and well-wishers, SGT Ray broke the ceremonial ground on his future home.
Army Sergeant Ray deployed to Iraq with the 101st Airborne, 1-32 CAV RSTA. On night patrol in June 2006, he was driving a Bradley Fighting Vehicle when it ran over two IEDs, resulting in his injuries including severe burns, the loss of a leg, and ongoing medical complications.
He received the Purple Heart for his injuries in combat. SGT Ray also received the Bronze Star for his valor and numerous other medals. Due to his leg amputation, SGT Ray spends all of his time in his wheelchair and hopes one day to be able to wear prosthetic for at least a portion of the day.
Ray’s wife, Tessa, shared; “This is overwhelming. There are so many people here that we don’t even know but it’s so wonderful to see this kind of support. We also had a house fire last year and have been living in an unadapted mobile home on ranch land, which is not conducive at all to wheelchair living and we’ve been paying two rents, so this is a great blessing.”
Meredith Iler is Chairman Emeritus of Helping a Hero and adds, “MorningStar donated a very large corner lot with a large tree and it’s going to be a new beginning for this very humble and deserving family.”
Helping a Hero worked closely with Westin Homes to design a handicap accessible four bedroom, three bath home with a covered porch that is over 2,900 square feet. Some of the adaptations include wider hallways and doorways, an adapted shower and toilet area, a roll under sink, flush thresholds and other safety features to enable SGT Ray to be as independent as possible.
General Cucolo spoke, not just of the sacrifices of SGT Ray and his family, but of all armed forces. “I don’t think the American public knows what a treasure the all-volunteer force is. We have been fighting the longest war in this nation’s history with all volunteers. What America has said, in not so many words out loud, though, to those of us who have donned the uniform, ‘Who will go for us?’ and people [here] said ‘Here am I, I will go’ and they are indeed the next greatest generation. I have seen these people in action.”
Houston-based Helping a Hero is a 501 (c)(3) that builds specially adapted homes for severely wounded heroes injured in the Global War on Terror. To date over 100 homes have been awarded in 22 states.
MorningStar residents have access to Liberty Hill ISD schools, a robust amenity complex with event pavilion, kids playground, oversized swimming pool and kids splash pad, miles of hiking and biking trails, and a large dog park.
