Newtown Volunteers Help WWII Vet Put New Roof on House

We’ve all heard the expression “neighbors helping neighbors” but on Jan. 14, that phrase came to life as volunteers stepped up to help a WWII Redding veteran put a new roof on his house so he could obtain homeowner’s insurance.

According to Vicki Thomas, Director of Special Projects with Purple Heart Home, a national charity that helps older veterans stay in their own homes, after paying homeowners insurance for 50 years, Alexander Sawchyn’s insurance policy was cancelled. His insurance provider presented Sawchyn, 89, a list of costly repairs in order to obtain a new homeowners insurance policy. The repairs included:

• Painting the house
• Removing large trees hanging over the roof
• Put on a new roof

How was an 89-year-old supposed to complete this monumental task? Enter State Senator Mike McLachlan from Danbury.

Vicki Thomas said Senator McLachlan and Sawchyn had been friends for years and after McLachlan saw him at a veteran’s event walking slowly like he was in severe pain he explained that he had fallen off a ladder trying to cut down the huge tree next to his house. Two months later he fell off a ladder again, trying to paint his house. The cost to fix his home were too expensive, Sawchyn explained, so he took on the projects himself.

Senator McLachlan reached out to Purple Heart Homes for help. The nonprofit provided roofing materials and lumber to replace the Sawchyn’s old roof. Steve Thomas, a Weston resident and volunteer project manager for Purple Heart Homes, repaired rotted walls in the sun porch and fixed a lean-to shed on the Sawchyn property. He is serving as the general contractor overseeing the project.

Mark Edwards Roofing and Siding in Newtown is brining six members of his crew to remove the old roof and put a new roof on. Edwards and his crew donating their time. Another group of volunteers will be helping to pick up the old shingles to be hauled away.

Jane Young-Anglim from the Weston Kiwanis will provide a chili lunch.

State Senator Mike McLachlan said, “This is what neighbors looking out for one another is all about. Alexander Sawchyn is a member of the greatest generation that does not ask for help. We are grateful to Purple Heart Homes, Mark Edwards and to all the volunteers that stepped up to help this wonderful WWII Veteran and his wife Theresa, who have always given so much to help others.”

John Gallina, Executive Director and Co-founder of Purple Heart Homes said, “we are honored to be able to help Alex and Theresa for all the times they both volunteered to help others — we are happy to be able to help them safely age in place and do not want to see Alex climb up on a ladder again. We encourage others to look out for your neighbors in need.”

Alex and his wife Theresa shed tears of joy when they learned that Senator Mike McLachlan, Purple Heart Homes, Mark Edwards and other volunteers were going to put on a new roof. “We never expected anything. We are extremely grateful.”

About Alexander Sawchyn - Written By Vicki Thomas

U.S. Army/U.S. Air Force Sergeant and First Lieutenant Alexander Sawchyn served his country during WWII from 1944-1949. Sawchyn is a national treasure. He received his training as an aviation cadet at the age 16. He was trained at a fighter pilot on several aircraft. After the war, he flew the B29 plane, among others, as a test pilot. For five years, Alex served in active duty, which took him to most continents supporting peacetime efforts. He served on the Berlin AirLift 1948-1949.

After the U.S., British, and Soviet military forces divided and occupied Germany, Berlin was located far inside Soviet-controlled eastern Germany and the Berlin Wall was the defining symbol of the cold war. It separated families and kept people from jobs and opportunities in the West. The Berlin Airlift lasted more than a year carrying over 2.3 million tons of food, necessities and fuel to those in need. Alex contracted acute Hepatitis B and was sent to Walter Reed Hospital. For all of his sacrifice and humanitarian aid, he earned the Purple Heart and retired from the military in 1949.

Post military, Alex worked at the Naval Service Station, Quonset Point, RI where he was a lineman and electrician. He met his wife Theresa. They have been married for 64 years and have two sons and three grandchildren.

Alex Sawchyn continues to give talks about his military experiences to students of all ages. When students applaud, Alex says “I accept their praise to honor all Veterans that did not make it home.” And he reminds students that patriotism and dedication lives inside your hands, as does the future of our country.

Photo of Alexander and Theresa Sawchyn by Purple Heart Homes