Legion leads effort to renovate home for wounded hero

After spending nearly three years in military and VA hospitals, Jose Pequeno - who suffered traumatic brain injury from combat in Iraq - finally came home Dec. 19 to Land O'Lakes, Fla. The severely wounded veteran arrived in a van, escorted by his mother, Nelida Bagley, sister Elizabeth and daughter Mercedes. Patriot Guards lined the street with motorcycles and U.S. Flags. A crowd of about 250 people cheered Jose as he exited the van in a wheelchair.

Nelida and Elizabeth thanked the crowd and wheeled Jose into his new home, which had been renovated and specially modified as part of The American Legion's Heroes to Hometowns program. In just eight days, about 150 volunteers - including tradesmen and neighbors - turned the house into a handicapped-accessible residence.

"Through the generosity of our vendors and the hard work of our members, we were able to complete $70,000 worth of upgrades to this house," Department of Florida Adjutant Michael McDaniel.

As Jose settled in his new home, visitors enjoyed a barbecue outside, featuring "Heroes to Hometowns BBQ" sauce sold by a Florida company that donates profits to Heroes to Hometowns and other Florida Legion programs.

"This is a great celebration," Department of Florida Commander Paul Martel said. "It just goes to prove that The American Legion is here for our veterans. We're here to do the right job at the right time, in the right place.

"Our Heroes to Hometowns is a wonderful program, and we Legionnaires have to keep our eyes open. We have to talk to the people in the hospitals - let them know that we, The American Legion, are there to help them in any way we possibly can."

Furniture and supplies were also donated for the house, which volunteers decorated for Christmas. For the first time in a long time, Nelida and her family will live under the same roof.

"Jose's mother has been at his side, in the hospital, for more than two and a half years," McDaniel said. "And when I asked her how it was going to feel to have her own bed to sleep in again, she said she didn't know - it's been that long."

Pequeno, an Army veteran, was a staff sergeant serving in Iraq on March 1, 2006, when a hand grenade hurled by an insurgent landed in his Humvee and blew him out the door.

Reprinted from The American Legion Online Update.