The Alexander Keith Memorial Pipe Band gave a rousing welcome to the Kilmartin family as they arrived at their Riverview home.
Kevin Brady photo.
Two weeks after welcoming wounded U.S. Army Sgt. Visala Tui to a new, mortgage-free home, a second Riverview community opened its arms to another wounded veteran Saturday. To the sounds of pipers, cheers and a flyover by two vintage military aircraft, U.S. Army Major Robert Kilmartin and his family took the keys to the brand-new home in the Everwood community just off Balm Riverview Road.
A two-time Purple Heart recipient, Kilmartin joined the Army when he was 18. He survived two bomb attacks while serving in Afghanistan in 2011, leaving him with injuries to his head, back, neck, shoulders and knees.
After two weeks of treatment for traumatic brain injury, Kilmartin, who was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, was back with his boots on the ground, serving on more than 200 combat patrols.
The event Saturday was organized by Building Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit group that gives mortgage-free homes to wounded veterans who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Major Robert Kilmartin, second from right, wife Christina and their four children were greeted by a large crowd of well-wishers as they arrived at their new home.
Kevin Brady photos.
“He is a fantastic individual with a great family,” said U.S. Army Col. Cary Harbaugh, a friend of Major Kilmartin and director of the U.S. Southern Command Care Coalition. The Coalition takes care of the military’s special operations servicepeople and their families. “They are very much involved themselves in charitable work on behalf of our wounded guys.”
To take the burden of a mortgage off a family is especially significant, Harbaugh said. “The homes are always so stunning, but not to have to worry about a mortgage payment … I just can’t say enough about Building Homes for Heroes and other organizations like it because of what they have given to these guys by just lifting that stress of a mortgage off them.”
Robin Sivertsen, a mom with Boy Scout Troop 61 who also turned out for the event, said it was important for the young scouts to support the veterans.
“As Boy Scouts, they need to show they appreciate what the vets have done for us. What Building Homes for Heroes is doing for the vets is just incredible.”
Andrew Pujol, president and founder of Building Homes for Heroes, announced a further 35 mortgage-free homes will be built in Florida, five in the Bay area, within the next year. “Keep in mind we are only 7,000 volunteers and still growing, with only nine full-time employees,” Pujol said.
He also thanked the program’s largest sponsor, Advanced Auto Parts, which has donated $2.4 million to Building Homes for Heroes during three years, and Chase Bank, which has also worked with the group.
“It’s my honor to be here to celebrate a true hero,” said Republican state Rep. Jake Raburn, whose district includes Riverview, Apollo Beach and Wimauma. Addressing Major Kilmartin, Raburn said: “Sometimes it’s hard to find the words to adequately thank someone who has given so much, but today we do the best that we can to say thank you for the work you have done and the sacrifices you have made.”
One of the fastest-growing charities in the country, Building Homes for Heroes handed out keys to 17 mortgage-free homes in 2013 and hopes to give away as many as 30 this year. The group’s expense percentage — the percentage of expenditures that goes directly to program-related activities — stands at 95.
The new home in the Everwood community features new appliances in the modern kitchen.
Founded in 2006, Building Homes for Heroes gives mortgage-free homes that are designed to meet the needs of the men and women who have been injured while serving in the military. “These homes not only help to remove the family’s financial burden, they help to restore the individual’s freedom, and enable the veteran to lead a more independent and productive civilian life,” according to the group’s mission statement.
Neither the group’s president nor board members at Building Homes for Heroes are compensated for their duties.
For more information on Building Homes for Heroes, visit buildinghomesforheroes.org.
