MIAMI, June 26,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Helping a Hero, a non-profit
providing support for military personnel severely injured in the
line of duty, Bass Pro Shops, and Lennar, one of the nation's
leading homebuilders, today welcomed SGT
Luis Rosa-Valentin, USA (Ret.), a triple amputee
injured by an explosion while on duty in Iraq, to his new adapted Lennar home in South
Miami-Dade County.
The community came together to support and welcome SGT
Luis Rosa-Valentin, USA (Ret.), to his new home. SGT Rosa-Valentin
and his family were greeted by special guests from Helping a Hero,
including Founder Meredith Iler; country music singer
Lee Greenwood; Fred Rothman, Lennar Chief Operating Officer;
Phil Serrate, Lennar Southeast
Florida Division President; and many proud Lennar
Associates.
The home is part of Helping a Hero's 100 Homes Challenge, which
was launched by Johnny Morris, Founder and CEO of Bass Pro
Shops. In partnership with Helping A Hero, Lennar has completed
eight homes for Veterans across the country and is committed to
more homes.
Lennar adapted the new home with features such as ADA
appliances and cabinets in the kitchen and master bath, a pot
filler, a roll in shower with added safety features, widened
laundry area for ease of access, motorized blinds and much more to
make daily life easier for the amputee. Encompassing 2,806 square
feet, the home contains five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, and
a two-car garage, which is fully accessible.
The home is in a stunning location situated near Route 1
offering easy access to downtown Miami, as well as the Florida
Keys, offering the best of what South Florida has to
offer – including sandy beaches, restaurants, nightlife,
entertainment venues, and excellent ocean adventures on the Gulf
Coast. The home is also in close proximity to VA
services.
SGT Luis Rosa-Valentin's first day of basic training
was September 11th, 2001. After basic training
he went to Air-borne school and was sent to the 3rd Infantry
Division where he participated in the invasion
of Iraq in 2003 with the C-co 2/7 Infantry and fought as
part of Task Force 3-69, which notably seized Saddam International
Airport and Saddam's personal palace. On April 21, 2008, two
days before SGT Rosa-Valentin's 25th birthday, he
was part of the 4th Infantry Division, acting as a
point man on a dismounted combat raid just outside of Baghdad.
During a firefight, SGT Rosa-Valentin was scanning for snipers when
an IED exploded next to him. He lost both legs, his left arm, sight
in one eye and his hearing in the blast. He was airlifted
to Landstuhl, Germany and then to Walter Reed Army
Medical Center where he remained for a year and a half, in
recovery.
"Helping a Hero and Lennar met with me throughout the building
of my home to make sure every adaptation worked the best for me in
my new home," said SGT Luis
Rosa-Valentin. "I can stop on a dime, turn around and do my
thing. I am going to take this investment into my future and my
children's future, and we are going to serve our community and
nation. I am going to spend my life fighting for others."
"SGT Luis Rosa-Valentin is an
eternal optimist," said Meredith Iler, Founder of Helping a
Hero. "He lights up a room and inspires joy in everyone he meets.
Seeing him roll through his house and dream of everything he will
be able to do independently was very special. Helping a Hero is
grateful to Lennar and Bass Pro Shops for coming alongside us to
serve these heroes."
"On behalf of Lennar and our business partners, it has been a
privilege getting to know SGT Luis
Rosa-Valentin and to have the opportunity to create this new
home where he and his family can live comfortably and enjoy life
together for years to come," said Carlos
Gonzalez, Lennar Southeast Florida Regional President. "We
are committed to giving back to the communities in which we build,
and it is an honor to partner with Helping a Hero and honor those
who have sacrificed so much for our country."
About Helping a Hero:
Texas-based Helping a Hero is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit, non-partisan organization providing support for
military personnel severely injured in the war on terror. Our
principal activity is to provide specially adapted homes for
qualifying service members as well as engage the community to
provide services and resources for our wounded heroes and their
families. Home recipients include veterans whose permanent injuries
from combat have left them paraplegics, quadriplegics, amputees,
blind, with severe burns and other injuries. Helping A Hero
provides additional support programs including marriage retreats,
caregiver retreats, recreational activities, and emergency needs
support. Helping a Hero Outdoors has expanded to serve our heroes
through hunting and fishing outings.
About the 100 Homes Challenge:
Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops
and noted conservationist, launched the 100 Homes Challenge and
committed to fund 25 percent of the cost of the next 100 Helping a
Hero homes. Helping a Hero invites the public to join Johnny
Morris in the 100 Homes Challenge by, however large or small,
to help to fund the other 75 percent of the cost of these
homes.
Helping A Hero is accepting applications from Post 9-11 wounded
warriors needing a specially adapted home due to their combat
injuries to become part of the 100 Homes Challenge. We also invite
the public to Nominate a Hero. Both the home application and the
Nominate a Hero form are available on our website
at www.helpingahero.org.
About Lennar Corporation
Lennar Corporation,
founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading builders of quality
homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and
active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar's
Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and
closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar's homes and,
through LMF Commercial, originates mortgage loans secured primarily
by commercial real estate properties
throughout the United States. Lennar's Multifamily
segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily
rental properties. LENX drives Lennar's technology,
innovation and strategic investments.
Contact: Danielle Tocco
Vice President Communications
Lennar Corporation
Danielle.Tocco@Lennar.com
Direct Line: 949.789.1633
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SOURCE Lennar