A Lee’s Summit veteran who lost his legs while serving his country was given a new home on Saturday.
“I'm excited because it’s going to be one less thing that I have to worry about every day,” said Sergeant Dustin Johns. “I'm going to have a home to come to that is comfortable.”
Johns is a former marine and lost his legs from an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving as an explosives expert. Just this year, he lost relatives who were veterans too.
“Both my grandfathers, they passed away this year. So I would like to take a minute and have a moment of silence for them,” Johns said.
A look inside the home and you begin to see why it is so special. There are automatic doors, roll-under sinks and counters, even cabinets that lower so they are wheel chair accessible. The shower is made for wheelchairs and the doors are wider.
Sergeant Johns was one of three veterans given a new home today in three different states. It was given away by the national organization called, Homes for Our Troops.
"This is a life changing event,” said Timothy P. McHale, from Homes for Our Troops. “When we build them a home that sets the condition for the soldier, sailor, airmen or marine to really change their life.”
For more information about the program, you can visit the Homes for Our Troops website, here.
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Richard Sharp can be reached at richard.sharp@kshb.com.
