[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


RECOGNIZING THE BUILDING EFFORTS OF ``HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS'' IN WARREN 
                            COUNTY, VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 2010

  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the ``Homes for 
Our Troops'' program in Warren County, Virginia, and bring to the 
attention of our colleagues a program at work throughout the country 
building houses for injured veterans returning home from serving our 
country.
  Homes for Our Troops is a national non-profit, non-partisan 
organization founded in 2004 and committed to helping those who have 
selflessly given to our country and have returned home with serious 
disabilities and injuries since September 11, 2001. They feel a duty 
and honor to assist severely injured servicemen and women and their 
immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials 
and professional labor, and to coordinate the process of building a 
home that provides maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live 
more independently.
  John Gonsalves, a construction supervisor, started the organization 
in 2004 after watching a news report of a severely injured 
servicemember who had returned from Iraq. He realized the need for 
special housing projects for injured service members. He focused on 
constructing customized homes with specially adapted and barrier-free 
features that allow servicemembers to regain some of their independence 
and mobility.
  In its first 2 years, Homes for Our Troops built a handful of homes 
as it worked to spread the word about its mission. Since then, the 
organization has grown into a successful national nonprofit 
organization that has built and donated more than 50 specially adapted 
homes to severely injured veterans. It has approximately 30 homes in 
various stages of construction across the United States on a continuous 
basis. All the services that this organization provides are at no cost 
to the recipient.
  Most recently, volunteers helped to complete a home for my 
constituent, Army SSG Arthur ``Bunky'' Woods, who was injured by a 
sniper's bullet during a tour in Iraq. The Build Brigade, of more than 
50 volunteers from the community constructed the frame of Bunky's house 
in just three days, a project which usually takes several weeks. His 
new home on Waterhouse Lane in Warren County, Virginia, will be ready 
by the end of the summer. The home will have controls and special 
features specifically tailored to Bunky's needs, allowing him to 
perform everyday actions such as opening doors.
  This project would not be possible without the help of Martha 
Buracker, who is the owner of the Buracker Construction Company in 
Bentonville. She generously volunteered to be the general contractor 
for Bunky's home, donating her time and her company's resources. 
Martha's selfless actions should be an example to all to get involved 
with this truly remarkable program.
  There are hundreds of soldiers who will be needing our help across 
the country and more coming home each day with life-altering 
disabilities and injuries sustained while fighting for our freedom. It 
does not matter what state or which branch of the military these 
soldiers are from, these are our American heroes, and we all need to 
unite, support and help them.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in supporting this important program 
so disabled servicemembers can experience the gift of independence.

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