Army veteran who lost both arms in Iraq honored with mortgage-free smart home in Four Oaks

FOUR OAKS, N.C. (WTVD) -- A U.S. Army veteran who lost both arms while deployed in Iraq was honored during a ceremony on Tuesday with a new home in Johnston County.

Retired Sgt. Mary Dague served in the military in 2001 after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. While in Iraq, Dague, an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Tech, was severely hurt by an improvised explosive device (IED) when it detonated.

She shielded her team - and almost certainly saved lives -- by hugging the bomb. In doing so, she lost both arms, suffered ruptured eardrums, and had facial injuries from shrapnel.

Dague told ABC11 that she expected to become "pink mist" when the explosion happened, but despite her catastrophic injuries, she said she didn't even lose any of her teeth.

Dague underwent numerous surgeries and dealt with significant physical and emotional challenges, including a bout with breast cancer, the Gary Sinsie Foundation said.

As a tribute to Dague's service and sacrifice, the Gary Sinsie Foundation, which builds specially adapted, mortgage-free, smart homes, presented her with the keys to her new home in Four Oaks.

WATCH: Full interview with retired Army Sgt. Mary Dague

Mary Dague talks about her experience in Iraq and the life she has rebuilt since.

"We are super excited to be gathered here today for what we call a Walls of Honor ceremony," said Pete Franzen, director of the Gary Sinise Foundation Rise Program, which hosted the event. "And we're celebrating the halfway point of the construction of her new home. This home is a gift, mortgage-free from the American people."

All of the light switches in the home were raised so Dague wouldn't have to bend down to turn them on. People in attendance were able to sign the unfinished walls with messages of gratitude.

"It's hard to feel like you're deserving of something you're receiving because of something you volunteered to do," Dague told ABC11, becoming a little emotional. "But at the same time, it's so humbling. I'm overwhelmed by the whole thing on a daily basis, but in a good way."

The home in Four Oaks will be finished and dedicated to Dague early next year.

"It's really awesome to feel independent again, especially because I was super independent before," Dague said. "And then afterwards, you know, having to ask for help multiple times a day is, it's a lesson in swallowing your pride."

When the home is complete, Dague will share it with her husband, James, also a retired Army EOD.

"It's just been fantastic. Otherworldly, Dague said.

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