For many people, home-ownership is a dream. But for one local man it has even more meaning. Army Corporal Wesley Barrientos lost both of his legs in Iraq. Homes for Our Troops stepped in and offered to build a home, specially equipped for Barrientos, and it's almost complete.
"When I come home tired and I just want to take my legs off. park my wheel chair right there, take my legs off and nobody can see them," said Barrientos about his new, large closet in the front room.
Barrientos showed 17 News some of his favorite features of his soon-to-be, new home. "It has that tall, tall clearance right there, so I can come in with my wheelchair. If I have my legs on, I can get in there real good and not have to worry about breaking baseboards," said Barrientos.
The home was built especially for him with the help of local volunteers and local contractor Jim Ward. "I've never built an actual single family residence like this. All the doors will have automatic door openers and closers above. They'll be powered and operated with a remote switch," said Ward.
Volunteers were hard at work on their day off Thursday, putting the finishing touches on the house. "He served our country and now we want to do this for him," said Margaret Gerber, with a Lowes team of volunteers.
"They're fulfilling my family's dream... they're making a home for us," said Barrientos.
"I don't think there's anybody more deserving than Wesley or someone like him," said Ward. Barrientos has been on hand almost every day during the process, not because he's checking up on the volunteers, but because he can't say thanks enough to the people who are doing this for him. An ironic twist of fate for this American hero. "No words can express the thanks and the feeling I have for these people right now. These volunteers, these people are my heroes now," said Barrientos.
The walls went up in April and it's been a fast build. In 30 days, it will officially become the Barrientos' home. The house will be officially complete and there will be a key ceremony on August 21st.
