HOMES FOR HEROES
-Michael Bryant, Disabled Veteran
In an extraordinary effort only been done in Minnesota once before, an Owatonna family is receiving a new home as part of Building Homes for Heroes. The unveiling took place Oct. 16 during a hero’s welcome home parade in front of the house.
Army Private Michael Bryant, a two-tour Iraq veteran, and his family received the keys to their new mortgage-free home at 820 18th St. NE in Owatonna during a patriotic ceremony involving the color guards from the Owatonna Legion and VFW, police, fire and sheriff’s office as well as other state and local leaders.
“This is a dream come true,” said Bryant with his fiancé and two adult children next to him. “It’s just a blessing. I now have a home for my family.”
The home, which was presented by Building Homes for Heroes and donated by JPMorganChase, was fully renovated by ProBuilt Construction. Much of the work was donated to beautify the house and adapt it to meet Bryant’s needs following his injuries.
Driven by his desire to fight for and honor his country, Bryant enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2003 in Dallas, Texas. He served two combat deployments in Iraq from 2005-2007 with the 3rd Infantry Division 3rd Brigade Combat Team. He faced extreme dangers daily in high-value target missions, street patrols and IED sweeps.
During his service, Bryant was exposed to challenging and life-threatening circumstances, causing him physical and psychological injuries.
In 2005, Bryant’s Humvee was struck by an IED and clipped into a canal, trapping his legs and injuring his ankle. He also suffered a concussion in 2006 when his vehicle was hit by a bomb in Iraq.
Bryant now lives with PTSD, a traumatic brain injury, back and neck injuries, tinnitus and severe hearing loss. He has been awarded a permanent disability from the Department of Veterans.
He has been awarded numerous medals for his service. They include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal L, Iraq Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
Building Homes for Heroes builds and gifts mortgage-free homes and completes home modifications for veterans, emergency first responders and their families and provides further services along their road to recovery to help them live a promising and fulfilling life ahead. Since inception, the organization has constructed, modified and gifted more than 400 homes, with support from JPMorganChase, Lowe’s and others.
Of the homes gifted, only one other has been done in Minnesota when a veteran was provided in new home in Prior Lake, according to Rusty Smallwood, operations manager for Building Homes for Heroes. He said the organization plans to gift its 500th home by next year.
Path to Owatonna
Bryant’s family came to Owatonna 11 years ago from Texas. “It’s green in Minnesota,” he said, quickly adding, “Weeds and dirt in Texas.”
He said they were largely attracted to the community because of its school system, which has provided a firm foundation for their two children who have now graduated. “We love the school district,” Bryant said.
Ever since coming to Owatonna, the family has lived in rental housing with the past four years being in an apartment.
He recalled driving past the house several times while living in Owatonna. Driving his drive-bys, he always commented on how nice it would be to have the house.
“We wanted to stay here. We love Owatonna,” Bryant said, noting they had considered moving elsewhere due to housing. He was adamant about settling his family in a house.
Even after applying, Bryant, 50, never thought his family would be selected for Homes for Heroes. Initially, there were no homes available through the program in Minnesota. And that’s why it came as a huge surprise when he learned that the house he had been eyeing for years would become his family’s. “We couldn’t believe it when we saw it online (through Homes for Heroes),” he said.
While the family was selected in June, they were forbidden from seeing the house during the construction phase. Asked if the suspense and surprise was killing him, he responded without hesitation, “Oh yeah, it was.”
Home unveiling
Bryant admits Thursday’s parade and ceremony was emotional and nerve wracking for him. “My anxiety was high, and heart was beating fast,” he said, noting he hasn’t had to get up in front of people since his high school days.
And then there were the tears.
Bryant became choked up with tears of joy several times throughout the ceremony, which was attended by about 50 people, including several of his new neighbors.
After the program, Bryant and his family were given the keys for the first time.
Upon entering the front door, Bryant said, “This is unbelievable.”
While making a pass through the open kitchen, he said, “Thanksgiving is going to be awesome. Look at this kitchen.”
His family gathered a few times—once in the kitchen and another time by the fireplace—for a group hug where additional tears flowed from everyone.
Homes for Heroes’ Smallwood said that the donation to Bryant is nowhere near enough of a thank you for what he has endured defending America. “We’re here to help them heal and enjoy their family. We need to make sure we are putting our veterans in a place where they will grow and heal,” he said, noting they will likely be in the home for the rest of their lives.
Smallwood added, “We want them to have a community where they can thrive and flourish in.”
