Homes for Our Troops is pleased to announce their 4th project in Colorado for SSgt. John Jones.

SSgt John P. Jones was serving in Iraq with the 1st Battalion/ 7th Marines when he was severely injured on January 3, 2005. John was in the 7th vehicle of a 35-vehicle convoy when it hit a double-stacked anti-tank mine. The mine that exploded under his hummer launched him 25 feet through the top of the vehicle.  As a result of the accident, John lost both legs below the knee.

ARTICLE FROM THE FORT COLLINS COLORADOAN :

Soldier gets keys to new home - (See photos below courtesy of Brooke Pilkington)

BY MOLLY ARMBRISTER • MollyArmbrister@coloradoan.com • July 19, 2009

Staff Sgt. John Jones and family finally have a home of their own, thanks to an organization called Homes for our Troops and the help of nearly 300 volunteers

Jones and his wife, Amber, were handed the keys to their new, 2,350-square-foot, fully accessible home in a ceremony Saturday morning behind the house.

Jones was serving in Iraq with the 1st Battalion 7th Marines on Jan. 3, 2005, when an anti-tank mine exploded under the Hummer he was riding in, launching him 25 feet through the top of the vehicle. Jones suffered multiple injuries that eventually led to the amputation of both of his lower legs. After spending four years in Texas in rehabilitation, the Joneses and their three children, Jade, 11, Keegan, 8, and Wyatt, 13 months, moved to Fort Collins to start a new life.

Now, the family can move out of a rental and into a brand-new home, complete with an elevator, roll-under sinks and other handicap-accessible features. The backyard features a playground structure for the kids, and the house is Energy Star rated. The keys were presented by Brian Joyce from Homes for our Troops.

"This is why I enlisted," John Jones said, addressing the crowd who gathered for the ceremony, "To save lives and to do what I can for my country." Jones then turned the lectern over to Amber, who read a letter the couple wrote to the volunteers who pitched in to build their home and business owners who donated materials or labor.

We are utterly moved and overwhelmed by this experience," Amber Jones said, "You may never know the true depth of what you have done for us."

The crowd, which was composed of the volunteers and business owners who helped with the house, as well as family, friends and neighbors, both new and old, responded to the letter with a standing ovation.

Larry Archer of Spring Creek Homes, general contractor of the house, also spoke.

"I hope someday we get to do this again," Archer said, standing in front of the lawn covered with signs bearing the names of the businesses and professionals that contributed to the house, lawn and landscaping.

The Joneses' home is the 40th completed by Homes for our Troops, whose mission is to build specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. The homes are provided at no cost to the veterans, thanks to donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, businesses, foundation grants, and of course, local volunteers.

"It's a dream come true," John Jones said.

Staff Sgt. John Jones, his wife Amber, and their children.	John and Amber escorted to the back yard for a ceremony.	Ready to move in.
John and Amber are presented the keys to their new home.		The builder Larry Archer from Spring Creek Homes

Photos courtesy of Brooke Pilkington