SPECIAL GUESTS
MEREDITH ILER, FOUNDER, HELPING A HERO HOME PROGRAM
MATTHEW GERDES, PRESIDENT, PERRY HOMES HOUSTON
JP LANE, HELPING A HERO HOME RECIPIENT
MARY ANN MARKARIAN, SINGER, SONGWRITER, AND SPEAKER
WHEN: Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 11:00 am
WHERE: Cypress, Texas
Bridgeland Prairieland Village
21511 Blue Porterweed Trail, Cypress, TX 77433
https://maps.app.goo.gl/
(follow signs to the homesite)
WHO:
CPL Frank Fields USA (Ret) — Bass Pro Shops 100 Homes Challenge Recipient
Meredith Iler — Founder, Helping a Hero Home Program
Matthew Gerdes — President, Perry Homes Houston
JP Lane — Helping A Hero Home Recipient
Mary Ann Markarian — Singer, Songwriter, and Speaker
Hundreds of patriots will be waving flags as Meredith Iler, Matthew Gerdes, JP Lane, and Mary Ann Markarian officially present the keys to a fully adapted, accessible Perry home for amputee CPL Frank Fields (USA, Ret). They will escort our hero and other dignitaries into the fully furnished and fully decorated home.
CPL Frank Fields is a decorated wounded warrior who lost both of his legs to an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Iraq.
Frank joined the Army and deployed to Iraq in 2006. Frank had been deployed for eight months and conducted over 100 missions before getting hit by an IED. He served as a “transporter” which required him to deliver medical supplies, take prisoners to jail, and speed to get injured soldiers to the hospital, among other responsibilities. He witnessed daily explosions, many of which he wished he hadn’t seen. Frank was a member of an infantry unit that primarily conducted missions at night. Earlier on that fateful day, November 21, 2006, Frank and his unit met at the motor pool at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), prayed, prepped for the mission, and then went out on Route Brewers, which was known for being one of the heaviest hit routes in Sadr City, Iraq. Frank was the driver in the lead HUMVEE, and they had been out on the route for about 15 minutes. Without any warning, the inside of the vehicle was engulfed in fire and all three soldiers were fighting for their lives. Frank opened the door and jumped out. Moments later, he realized he had no legs to land on. His platoon sergeant came and dragged him away. Frank’s weapon melted to the side of the seat.
Following his rehabilitation at BAMC, Frank began his road to recovery by facing the grief of the loss of his legs, being alone, and contemplating suicide. Fortunately, Frank made the commitment to live. Today, he is one of the top motivational speakers in the wounded warrior community.
Meeting Tawnee Gonzalez, widow of Marine Sergeant Marty Gonzalez, changed Frank’s life forever. On June 15, 2023, Frank and Tawnee welcomed their son, Frankie, into this world and can’t wait to raise their beautifully blended family in their new home.
ABOUT HELPING A HERO:
Helping A Hero is one of the top national charities building specially adapted homes for qualifying service members through partnerships made with builders, suppliers, patriots, and veterans. Helping a Hero strives to engage the community in providing services and resources for our wounded heroes and their families. Additionally, Helping A Hero provides support programs such as marriage retreats, caregiver retreats, recreational activities, and emergency needs grants.
JOIN THE 100 HOMES CHALLENGE
Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops and noted conservationist, has pledged 25% of the cost of the next 100 Homes and invites the American people and companies alike to join him in the 100 Homes Challenge. The public is invited to “Nominate a Hero” and wounded heroes in need of adaptive housing from the post 9-11 Global War on Terror are invited to complete our “Home Application”. Both forms are available on our website to be completed online at helpingahero.org.
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Click here:
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