Groundbreaking for a 'Hero Home' in Holly Springs
HOLLY SPRINGS N.C. (WTVD) -- Construction has officially begun on a new home for wounded veteran, Brandan Taylor, and his family. The Marine Special Operations Staff Sergeant suffered nerve damage after fracturing his back and being knocked unconscious in his last deployment to Afghanistan.
Taylor and his family were selected for a 'hero home' by Operation Coming Home, the organization provides homes for wounded veterans through partnerships. CalAtlantic donated the lot for Taylor's home new home in Holly Springs, which will also be built by the same group.
"This is not something that is just CalAtlantic Homes. We have some tremendous trade partners in the Town of Holly Springs, Operation Coming Home. This truly is a community effort," said Troy George, division president for CalAtlantic.
Read more about CalAtlantic here.
Taylor was on a nighttime helicopter raid with 30-50 of his men when he slipped on a sheet of ice, fracturing his back. His 150-pound backpack hit his head, knocking him out. It wasn't until he returned to the US that he had MRIs done, revealing the nerve damage.
Tim Minton, a board member for Operation Coming Home, said it's his courage in service that led them to pick Taylor for their 13th 'Hero Home.'
"He completed the three remaining months of his deployment by utilizing pain pills available in the local market." Minton said. "He did not want to be sent home. He wanted to serve his country."
"I was in tremendous amounts of pain. I could hardly sleep," Taylor said. "But being in the special operations community, you'd really don't want to leave your guys."
"I had to check out of the thing that I love the most and leave special operations, and knew that I was never going to be a Marine again," Taylor adds.
Taylor's had multiple surgeries, uses leg braces to walk and is working through his PTSD. His wife, Chelsey, said the house is a huge deal for their family - their 6 year-old boy, and two twin baby boys, as the family has had to file for bankruptcy after multiple surgeries.
"It's truly a blessing and very humbling to be given a home like this," Chelsey Taylor said.
Brandan said he feels touched to receive this kind of help, especially because he now works at a non-profit helping other wounded vets.
"I've always started to take care of other guys, and take care of other veterans, and you get the same in return - so getting this house, and getting stuff people was giving us, is truly a blessing from God."
