DENVER, N.C. — Not even the rain on the partially complete home could dampen Brandon Zettl's spirit.
He doesn't see puddles on the living room floor, he sees promise.
Several veteran charity groups in the area are breaking ground Friday on one of several homes constructed for veterans affected by war.
Zettl, a retired Army staff sergeant, will be one of the recipients of a new home.
The Patriot Charities, Purple Heart Homes, Military Family Charitable Lifestyle Foundation, Charlotte Bridge Homes and Hearts & Hammers joined to make this possible. Hearts and Hammers donated five lots and Wells Fargo donated an additional four lots in a Denver neighborhood.
Most of the materials were donated, the rest paid for with help from four other charities.
Half of the mortgage is already covered.
The Patriot Charities is a grassroots nonprofit that raises money for wounded military and their families in North Carolina. The Patriot Charities has donated $201,400 toward the cost of building the homes.
Purple Heart Homes is currently working with the military families in the application process and awarded Zettl and his family the single story 3 bedroom home in Denver.
Hearts & Hammers donated the five original lots. Military Family Lifestyle Charitable Foundation is assisting with corporate involvement and donations. All of the charities have provided volunteers.
“That's the American dream, being a homeowner and when you are overseas that's all you think about is getting your kids and getting back home." Dale Beatty, Purple Heart Homes said.
The groups are working together to build single family homes to donate to veterans. Each home will be accessible for the veterans’ needs. Once finished, the whole community will be wounded warriors with neighbors who can understand and support each other due to their common bonds and service experience.
Zettl's home is the second of nine homes in the community.
The father of three, who was injured in an airborne accident during his service, will be moving into his new donated home with his wife and three children.
He went to war ensuring peace during elections in Afghanistan. Two tours there, one during civil war in Africa. His injuries mounted. Bulging discs, torn ligaments, carpel tunnel, hearing loss and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
He and his wife have a home in Tennessee.
"We bought the home before all of the disabilities kicked in," Danielle Zettl, Brandon’s wife said, in reference to their current home.
Zettl (Brandon) said the stairs in the home and narrow doorways make his problems worse.
"We're so appreciative and grateful. It's going to be a new start and we'll have less to worry about," Zettl said.
Zettl followed family tradition of both his grandfathers by enlisting in the Army. He wanted to see the world while serving a greater purpose. The experience changed his life forever.
Zettl medically retired from the Army in 2013.
The Zettl family are eagerly awaiting a move to a new life in North Carolina. They are slated to move in by Thanksgiving.
They held the groundbreaking today, but volunteers almost had the walls up in the first 4 days.
Friday morning they built flower beds.
"It's the least we can do for folks that sign their names on the line willing to volunteer their lives if they have to," Beatty said.
For more on this story stay tuned to Eyewitness News at 5.
WSOC
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