‘I was kind of left speechless;’ Local veteran, family receives new home in Dayton
He was injured while serving our country overseas. Now, a local veteran and his family have a new house, and that house comes with no mortgage.
The Blevins family of five said they cannot wait to get their belongings and move into the new house.
“We’ve been in a 900-square-foot rental for seven years,” Cody Blevins said. To finally have a place with enough space they can call their own.
“It’s beyond the moon. I was kind of left speechless,” Blevins said.
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The Military Warriors Support Foundation Mission supports veterans like Cody and their families. Wells Fargo donated the house to the Military Warriors Support Foundation and Cody, who was injured while serving in Afghanistan.
“I was the gunner, so I was looking down to make sure our vehicle was clear. As soon as I said, ‘all clear’ I see dirt, I heard the explosion,” Blevins said.
They were hit with a homemade explosive. “I got ejected from the vehicle, knocked unconscious, and broke both ankles,” he said.
One of his men died in the explosion. “Every March 22, it’s about Sgt. Santos, remembering him,” Blevins said.
He was medically discharged from the Army, and received The Purple Heart as well as other medals, but still struggled once he returned home.
“The hardest part is the reintegration process.” To help, his wife, Jessica, learned about the foundation and decided to apply for the house.
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Each of the kids already has plans for their own rooms. Their youngest, Raelynn, plans to decorate the walls. “Probably posters above my bed,” she said.
Kaleb, 10, knows where his action figure will go. “I’m going have it lined up right here,” he said,
The oldest, Haiden, just wants to be near the kitchen. “I’ve eaten three thins of cookie dough and three things of rice,” he said.
The entire family is excited to make this space theirs.
“Somebody cares, and you’ll find them,” Jessica Blevins said.
The parents said not only is this a huge honor, but they cannot wait to watch their kids grow up in what is officially their family home.
