A Wisconsin Army veteran and his family are being given a mortgage-free home as thanks for his service. U.S. Army Specialist Jesse Frewerd enlisted at 19 and served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. While on a routine patrol there, Frewerd’s unit was hit with an improvised explosive device and he suffered injuries including a traumatic brain injury (TBI). He was honorably discharged in 2005, but has lived ever since with the effects of injuries to his spine and back, migraines from the TBI, and also battles post-traumatic stress disorder.
Frewerd has received numerous commendations for his service and currently helps fellow vets access disability compensation as a counselor with the Wisconsin State Veteran Agency. He has a teenage daughter and he and his wife, Katie, just welcomed their first child, a son. Both he and Katie are also working toward receiving their master’s degrees.
As thanks for his service and sacrifice, the nonprofit Operation Finally Home surprised the Frewerd family with the announcement that they’re getting a brand new home, completely free with no mortgage. The news was a complete shock to the family, who were told they were getting a tour of the Tri-County YMCA. The custom home is being built by Belman Homes and the Frewerds got to help break ground on the new build. Frewerd was totally caught off guard by the kind gesture and called it “the biggest gift/blessing we could’ve ever hoped for or asked for.”
- This is the 7th home that Operation Finally Home has given away in Wisconsin.
Source: CBS 58