'Overwhelmed, blessed, thankful': Disabled Ocala veteran gets a new roof for free

Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner
·2 min read

The sign in front of Derek Ingram's front door reads: "GIVING BACK to Those Who Served."

A U.S. Army veteran who joined the service in 1974 and served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Ingram moved to Spruce Creek South from Maryland 2 1/2-years ago.

Scott's Roofing employees clear the old roof off Derek Ingram's house on July 26.
Scott's Roofing employees clear the old roof off Derek Ingram's house on July 26.

At his home, Ingram said, whenever it rains hard, his roof leaks, especially in the back. Ingram said he called various companies inquiring about prices for a new roof. The quotes were more than he could afford.

Ingram, who is disabled, searched for a way out and found Habitat for Humanity had a program that could assist him. He filled out the application. Last week, Ingram was told he could get a new roof for free.

New roof

On Friday morning, a dozen men from Scott's Roofing were at Ingram's home. Quickly, the men went on the roof and began their work.

An overhead look at the Spruce Creek South home of Derek Ingram, which got a new roof on July 26.
An overhead look at the Spruce Creek South home of Derek Ingram, which got a new roof on July 26.

"It's good to be a recipient of a blessed gift," said Ingram, 67, who was a nuclear biologic chemical specialist forward element and medic forward element in the service.

Scott's Roofing COO Tyler Scott, who was on site, said Habitat for Humanity contacted Owens Corning, which has a program call Roof Deployment. Scott said the program coordinates with platinum installers, such as Scott's Roofing, to install roofs for veterans and those in need at no cost.

Scott said it's a way "to give back to the community."

Ingram, who's married, said the process took two to three months. He's grateful for the generosity, calling it "a blessing."

Derek Ingram, left, talks with Scott’s Roofing COO Tyler Scott on July 26 while work was underway.
Derek Ingram, left, talks with Scott’s Roofing COO Tyler Scott on July 26 while work was underway.

"I feel overwhelmed, blessed, thankful," he said.

During his research, Ingram kept praying that his roof would hold on until he could find a solution.

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By the end of Friday, Ingram would have a new roof and no more leaking.

"This was a blessing, man," he said.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: U.S. Army veteran in Ocala, Florida gets new roof. Here's the story.