Not even the rain on the partially complete home could dampen Brandon Zetti's spirit.
He doesn't see puddles on the living room floor, he sees promise.
Several veteran charity groups in Denver, North Carolina are breaking ground Friday on one of several homes constructed for veterans affected by war.
Zetti, a retired Army staff sergeant, will be one of the recipients of a new home.
The Patriot Charities, Purple Heart Homes, Military Family Charitable Lifestyle Foundation, Charlotte Bridge Homes and Hearts & Hammers have purchased five lots in the area, and Wells Fargo donated four lots in a Denver neighborhood.
Most of the materials were donated. The rest has been paid for with help from four other charities.
Half of the mortgage is already covered.
The Patriot Charities, a grassroots nonprofit that raises money for wounded military and their families, has donated $201,400 toward the cost of building the homes.
Purple Heart Homes is currently working with the military families in the application process and awarded Zetti and his family a single-story three-bedroom home in Denver.
Hearts & Hammers donated the five original lots. Military Family Lifestyle Charitable Foundation is assisting with corporate involvement and donations. All of the charities have provided volunteers.
“That's the American dream-- being a homeowner and when you are overseas that's all you think about is getting your kids and getting back home," said Dale Beatty of Purple Heart Homes said.
The groups are working together to build single family homes to donate to veterans. Each home will be accessible for the veterans’ needs. Once finished, the whole community will be wounded warriors with neighbors who can understand and support each other due to their common bonds and service experience.
Zetti's home is the second of nine homes in the community.
The father of three, who was injured in an airborne accident during his service, will be moving into his new donated home with his wife and three children.
Zetti went to war ensuring peace during elections in Afghanistan. He completed two tours there, one during civil war in Africa. His injuries mounted, including bulging discs, torn ligaments, carpel tunnel, hearing loss and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
He and his wife have a home in Tennessee.
"We bought the home before all of the disabilities kicked in," said Danielle Zetti, Brandon’s wife, in reference to their current home.
Brandon said the stairs in the home and narrow doorways make his problems worse.
"We're so appreciative and grateful. It's going to be a new start, and we'll have less to worry about," Brandon said.
Brandon followed family tradition of both his grandfathers by enlisting in the Army. He wanted to see the world while serving a greater purpose. The experience changed his life forever.
He medically retired from the Army in 2013.
The Zetti family is eagerly awaiting a move to a new life in North Carolina. They are slated to move in by Thanksgiving.
The groundbreaking was held Friday after completing a gardening project for the home, but volunteers almost had the walls up in the first four days.
"It's the least we can do for folks that sign their names on the line willing to volunteer their lives if they have to," Beatty said.
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