On January 18, 2024, Homes for Heroes and Pulte Group broke ground for a new home for veteran Jose Santiago and his family. Builders and contractors completed the house and handed the keys to Santiago on May 23.
Santiago and some of his family rode in a stretch limousine, escorted to the North Park Isle neighborhood by a motorcade of Plant City Police Department (PCPD) motorcycle and police vehicles and Plant City Fire Rescue, with lights flashing and sirens whooping. A crowd of citizens, veterans, civic leaders, contractor employees, and Homes for Heroes staff lined the street, waving flags and cheering while the motorcade passed. Among the companies who contributed sweat to make the home a reality are Edmonson Electric, American Builders Supply, and Bayonet Plumbing, Cooling, and Heating.
More than 300 people sat facing a podium in front of a 40-foot tall flag for the ribbon cutting ceremony, which was led off by the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. A vice president of Pulte, a vice president of military contractor Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and a board member of Building Homes for Heroes addressed the crowd. The speakers thanked all who contributed to the effort, and Mr. Santiago for his brave service to the United States of America.
The crowd then walked a block to the home for the ribbon cutting. Of course, the Santiago family has known for some time the home was on the way to them. However, in a surprise gift to the family, the home came fully furnished.
Retired Green Beret Chief Warrant Officer Jose Santiago served 27 years on active duty. He earned three Bronze Stars, three Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Commendation Medals, and four Army Achievement Medals. Among other roles, he served in Afghanistan as an Airborne Ranger. During his career, Santiago suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was rolled over by a vehicle. He was also hurt numerous other times in parachute jumps and suffers from PTSD. In addition to his two children, he now cares for his mother, who has a heart condition, and his sister, who has special needs.
Pulte’s Built to Honor program thanks U.S. injured veterans by building mortgage free homes for them. This is the sixth of such homes built in the Tampa Bay area.
Founded after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Building Homes for Heroes provides new homes for veterans and first responders. The organization is on track to gift its 400th home to a selected honoree before the end of 2024.