U.S. Army Sgt. Nathan Young stood by his wife, Tabitha, daughter, Emme and service dog, Maggie, as he spoke to a large crowd gathered by his home — his new home — Friday, tearing up on more than one occasion.
That crowd was essentially a welcoming committee for the Young family to their brand new home, constructed as part of Operation Finally Home.
The home for the Young family is one of five Operation Finally Home builds that are part of Southern Living’s Building Hope, a video series showcasing the customization and furnishing of the home along with JCPenney. Operation Finally Home was a nonprofit established in 2005 to provide custom-built, mortgage-free homes to America’s wounded, ill or injured veterans and widows of the fallen
The home is part of the Ashton Plantation community of Luling. Friday saw a special ribbon-cutting event organized by home builder Tyson Construction, the Irving Morris Foundation, Southern Living and JC Penney. From there, Young and his family toured their new home for the first time.
Young joined the National Guard in 1999 during his senior year of high school. He was deployed to Iraq in 2003. In 2010, he became Active Duty Army with the Military Police and was deployed for a second tour of duty in Iraq.
There, he suffered combat injuries resulting from a pair of Russian Anti-Tank grenades that were hurled into the vehicle Young was occupying. His only recollection was a loud blast and the force of the explosion. As a result of Young’s combat injuries, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as a traumatic brain injury. He also suffers from migraines, back injuries, anxiety and depression. Young medically retired from the military in February 2013, but could not return to his work as a police officer.
Young’s honorable service in the Army earned him a number of awards such as an Army Commendation medal, an Army Achievement medal, a Combat Action badge, and a National Defense ribbon. Prior to the construction of his new home, he and his family lived in Evans, Ga.
A number of people spoke at the event, expressing gratitude to Young for his service and thanking he and his family for choosing St. Charles Parish to plant their roots. Among the speakers were Parish President Larry Cochran. Former parish president V.J. St. Pierre Jr. thanked well-wishes viaCouncilwoman Wendy Benedetto.
The 3,200-square-foot house includes three bedrooms, a garage and porch.
Also, Kristi Brocato, owner of The Basketry donated a housewarming gift basket filled with fleur de lis and New Orleans Saints items.
“I was thrilled to be just a small part in the dedication of this beautiful home,” Brocato said. “This family is so deserving of everything they have graciously received from so many people.”
Tyson Construction (owners Larry and Patricia Tyson and their son, Zachary, who is helping oversee the job) got involved with the project through Southern Living Custom Builder Program of which it is a member. The company, in the building business for nearly 25 years, is handling the job of bringing all these pieces together to make the house.
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