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County welcomes injured soldier with a new house
Eric Turbivile / submitted photo - Hugo and Any Gonzalez were given the gift of peace of mind last week when it was announced they would receive a mortgage-free home in Gunter.
By Marthe Stinton, mstinton@acnpapers.com
Army Specialist Hugo Gonzales was on patrol with his unit when he was ambushed by Iraqi insurgents. During the attack, he was struck by a mine explosion and as a result suffered a direct, penetrating, traumatic injury to his brain.
The injury resulted in the complete loss of vision in his right eye. A fragment of the bomb penetrated his left eye, leaving a hole in his macula, an area of the retina.
“From the battlefield, I was evacuated to the military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, and then finally to Walter Reed Army Medical Center,” Gonzalez said. “During my long and extensive recovery, I was diagnosed with post-traumatic epilepsy and post-traumatic migraines, due to the traumatic brain injury and cerebral damage I suffered.”
“During my recovery, I was provided with the loving support of my wife, Any,” Gonzalez said. “Although we were just engaged at the time of my deployment, she vowed to stand by my side and waited faithfully for my return from Iraq. Little did she realize that I would return from duty in Iraq with extensive injuries and a life changed forever.”
For the past six months, Gonzalez has been struggling with the traumatic brain injury –
the medical condition that Hugo said has been flying silently under the radar – along with the signature injuries of war. But last weekend, the Gonzalez family received a welcome home they never expected.
Bluegreen Communities, a developer of master-planned communities, awarded Gonzalez and his family a new, mortgage-free, custom home during halftime at the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in unity with Operation Finally Home.
When Gonzalez heard the announcement, he said he couldn’t stop crying.
“Everything around my wife and I became suspended in time and space,” he said. “I was trying to find my wife’s eyes to make some kind of eye-to-eye contact but I could no stop or control the tears falling from my eyes; it was like they had a mission and a will of their own. They were tears of hope, tears of appreciation and tears of happiness. They were like a river that will carve our road to a future of security, stability, recovery and personal success.”
Gonzales said the gift of the new home is both a significant change and challenge. He said he and his wife will be faced with the a challenge of providing a smooth transition while relocating their family.
“I think it is a good thing that we will have to become even closer than we already are in order to be on the same track and make the best decisions,” he said. “Consequently it will be a growing process as a couple in love and maturity. Economically, it is a great peace of mind to live with the knowledge that your family is secure in that they have a place of their own.”
Their new home will be built in the Bridges at Preston Crossings in Gunter.
Dan Koscher, president and CEO of Bluegreen communities, said he wants to deliver the American dream to troops injured while fighting for the country by providing them a place to call home.
“When we became aware of the type of program Operation Finally Home is, we thought we could share what we have in abundance so [injured soldiers] can start rebuilding their lives,” he said. “Some of the individuals are very young, and we can give them an opportunity to move forward.”
The Bridges at Preston Crossing welcomed two injured soldiers and their families last fall, and by providing homes to injured troops in the same area, Bluegreen Communities — through Operation Finally Home — hopes to build a sense of community and a type of support group that may not be easily found.
“We are giving back what they already paid for on the battlefield,” he said. “These are such great kids; they have contributed a heck of a lot, and to see the emotion and the relief — it’s hard to articulate. They have done more for us than we have done for them.”
Gonzalez said the first thing he will do when he moves into his new home is give thanks.
“Like on each and every important success in our life, I will give thanks and praises to the most high, my lord and savior Jesus Christ,” he said. “Then while entering the house I will make sure I recognize each and every corner of the house by exploring around and saying to myself, ‘I’m finally home.’”
Bluegreen Communities invites the public to participate in two events at The Bridges at Preston Crossing in Gunter. On March 25, The Bridges will host a charity golf tournament at The Bridges Golf Club and on April 2, pro angler Jimmy Houston will emcee a charity fishing tournament at The Bridges’ Double M Lake.
All proceeds from both events will benefit Operation Finally Home. For information contact Kristi Robinson with Bluegreen Communities at 972-965-7994 or kristi@bluegreenadvertising.com.
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