Forsyth pulls together to build Iraq veteran a home

By Christopher Quinn

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Cynthia Willard and more than 100 other Georgians are working out a theory in Cumming on how to solve big problems in little ways.

They can't do much about the war in Iraq, for instance.

But they can build a house for Joshua Lindsey, a 24-year-old Army veteran who returned from the war without the use of his legs.

"It's a big deal when you are doing something in your own community," Willard said, "It's amazing the difference you can make."

Willard and local housewives -- plus carpenters, executives, restaurateurs and veterans of other wars -- pitched in with the national nonprofit Homes For Our Troops in late February to drive nails, raise a roof and lay shingles. Lindsey's house will be built for life in a wheelchair – wider than average halls, kitchen counters to his sitting height, ramps and hard floors throughout for easy rolling – and should be finished by summer.

Lindsey said, "It was a very emotional experience. These people don't even know me, but they are coming out to show support for our troops."

Larry Archer, the national construction manager for the Massachusetts nonprofit, said, "Josh is a very quiet person and was overwhelmed by just the sheer fact that people were coming out to help him build his house. He said, ‘I've spoken more words this weekend than I have in my entire life.' "

Lindsey shook hands and was the object of much attention. There were letters of thanks handed to him, enough photographic flashes to blind the paparazzi, pats and hugs and personal exchanges. A couple of soldiers on leave were there to help build. An 84-year-old who stormed the shores of Normandy and some of his buddies from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post showed up, while restaurants provided food for the volunteers. Lindsey also talked to a female soldier who was at the first hospital he was airlifted to after he was wounded.

He was a corporal with the 3rd Infantry stationed outside Tikrit in 2005 when his patrol was assaulted with mortars and rifle fire. Lindsey, who grew up in LaGrange near West Point Lake, was shot twice and spent 10 months recovering in Army hospitals. He moved to Colorado after getting out but wanted to return to be near family and Atlanta's Shepherd Center, where he hopes to get accepted for more therapy and rehabilitation.

"I want to regain as much mobility as possible," he said.

When he heard about Homes For Our Troops, Lindsey applied, was interviewed and accepted as a client.

John Gonsalves, a Massachusetts contractor,  started the organization in 2004 after watching a news report about a severely injured soldier. He thought he could donate his expertise to help build houses for disabled veterans but when he searched for an organization, he found none existed. So he started one. It uses donated materials, money and time to build houses across the nation and just finished its 54th.

Mark Rudolph, the owner of Sterling Builders Group near Athens, is the local volunteer contractor for Lindsey's house.

"I was going through a slow time like all the other builders," Rudolph said.

He heard about the Homes For Our Troops project and decided it would be a good way and the right time to give back. He checked out the organization carefully to make sure it was legitimate and interviewed with them.

"I thought what they're doing is fantastic. It is a desperate need," Rudolph said.

Homes specially built for those in wheelchairs can cost upwards of $300,000. This one will not cost Lindsey a penny.

Lindsey said, "They take care of everything. To buy a regular house and have it remodeled, it would cost a fortune. For somebody to have to do it by themselves, I don't think they would ever get it done."

When it is finished, Willard has a plan to begin filling it up. She is designing and will sew a quilt for Lindsey. She let him look at her quilting books to pick one out and he was very particular about what he wanted for his first housewarming gift, she said.

"It will be red, white and blue."