Double Amputee Veteran Gets New Home in Hawkinsville
HAWKINSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It was a day made for a hero.
Marine Corporal Tony Mullis, who lost both his legs two years ago after a bomb exploded in Afghanistan, raised the flag at his brand new home–a gift from national non-profit group “Homes For Our Troops.”
Mullis’ friend and business partner, Marine Corporal Michael Boucher, lost both his legs in Afghanistan just two months after Mullis’ accident. Saturday, Homes For Our Troops helped Boucher break ground where his new home will be built–right next door to his buddy.
Mullis says that kind of living arrangement will be invaluable as he continues getting used to using prosthetic legs.
“Me and him share the same leg,” says Mullis. “If he finds something that tears it up fast, like say he jumps in the water and finds out it’s not waterproof, then I’m not gonna jump in the water, ya know?”
Dozens packed the property Saturday to congratulate two real-life heroes.
“They have gone over there (Afghanistan) and fought and literally sacrificed limbs so that I can stand here today,” says Bob Johnson with Hawkinsville Better Hometown.
Army veteran Jeffery Williams got his own specially-adapted home from Homes For Our Troops in 2011. He doesn’t know Mullis or Boucher personally, but he traveled more than 300 miles to be at Saturday’s ceremony.
“I felt it was an honor to be here to be part of this,” says Williams. “I know how much the house meant to me, and I just wanted to share it with them and see the same joy it brought me on their faces.”
Both Mullis and Boucher are amazed at the outpouring of support.
“It’s just awesome to see that so many people from the community and from our families are so strong-willed and have a desire to help us out and give us the ability to have a home that’s accessible and easy to get around for us,” says Boucher.
If you’re wondering how Homes For Our Troops pays for all these houses, 70% of their funds are from individual contributions from across the country.
To find out how you can help, visit Homes For Our Troops online.
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