HelpingAHero.org to host groundbreaking on custom home for wounded warrior

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Lt Governor David Dewhurst will join HelpingaHero.org to break ground on a new custom adapted home in Montgomery County for wounded warrior, SGT Ben Eberle, USA. SGT Eberle became a triple amputee as the result of an IED explosion in Iraq. The groundbreaking will symbolize the start of a new chapter in Ben’s life as he continues to rebuild his life.

Over 300 people are expected to attend this groundbreaking ceremony for a full blown patriotic celebration featuring 70 kids from Kids R Kids who will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Over 30 of The Woodlands High School Band members will be playing patriotic music. Over 50 members of the Patriot Guard Riders SE will stand on a Flag Line during the Ceremony and 4 members of The Woodlands High School JROTC will be presenting our colors. And many veterans from all wars since WWII will be on hand to salute this wounded veteran as he begins the journey home.

Ben grew up in Northern Michigan, graduating high school in 2005, where he was a team captain on the football team. Although Ben is a triple amputee, he continues to embrace his love for the outdoors, fishing, camping, canoeing, and riding ATVs.

Ben joined the army at age 17 and served in Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan as a combat engineer 31BCT 1 AD based out of Ft. Bliss, Texas. On the morning of November 19, 2011, he was in Afghanistan on patrol with two other soldiers when he spotted two blue wires. He cleared the others away from the area. Before Ben got to safety, the IED detonated, smashing Ben into his vehicle then ricocheting him 35 meters away. He lost both legs and his right hand in the blast. Thoughts of his wife and soon-to-be-born daughter helped him pull through that day.

Today, Ben is determined to not let his limitations hold him back. He has endured countless surgeries and years of rehabilitation. He loves the freedom he feels on the water and is grateful for the adapted ATVs he is able to operate. Ben and his wife look forward to make Texas their home and raising their daughter in such a patriotic community.

This is the 2nd of 3 homes HelpingaHero.org will complete in Montgomery County in 2014 and is one of 8 homes for 2014 in the greater Houston area. This home will include 4 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths. It will be fully wheelchair accessible and include wider doors and hallways, an adapted bathroom that includes a roll in shower, roll under sink, and other safety features needed to help Ben be independent, and other accessibility needs. Keystone Concrete is leading the build and has donated on 5 previous homes of HelpingaHero.org. Through its Stewart Builders subsidiary, they will serve as the General Contractor for this home and will be donating the foundation for the home as well.

Spark Energy also has donated one year of Free Electricity to the Eberles which is valued at up to $5,000. Stewart Title Montgomery County has also donated the title policy to this home.

Woodforest National Bank and Woodforest National Bank Foundation are also key Montgomery County partners for HelpingaHero.org.

When: Monday, February 3 at 11:00 a.m.

Where: 7289 Lake Creek Circle Drive Montgomery, TX 77316 (From 1488 go north on Honea Egypt, West on Lake Creek Circle, immediate left and follow parking instructions)

The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Houston 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 engaging the community to provide services and resources for our wounded heroes and their families. Thanks to the HelpingaHero.org Home Program, over 100 severely wounded heroes from 22 states have been awarded a new adapted home. HelpingaHero.org is the 2nd largest 501(c)(3) organization building homes for our severely wounded heroes in the nation and the 2nd largest in Texas. And all of this has been accomplished with no paid staff for our first 6½ years and now has a bare bones staff.

For more information on the HelpingaHero.org’s Home Program, visit the website at www.helpingahero.org.