Kids & Family
Cherokee Fire Honors Veteran Who Was Awarded Free Home
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday in Holly Springs for U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. David Payton.
Photo credits: Tim Cavender/Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services honored a marine today at a groundbreaking ceremony held in honor of the veteran receiving a mortgage-free home from a builder.
In December, PulteGroup announced it would be awarding United States Marine Corps Staff Sgt. David Payton (ret.) and his family a free home on a lot in its Harmony on the Lakes neighborhood in Holly Springs.
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The award is part of PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program, which in partnership with Operation FINALLY HOME, donates mortgage-free homes to wounded veterans and their families across the country with the help of generous local contractors, vendors and housing partners.
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services dispatched Ladder 24 to the event to hoist an American flag at the end of the ladder. The Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Service Honor Guard was also present for the presentation of the colors for the event.
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In 2001, Payton enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corps after he graduated from McEachern High School in Cobb County. Payton was assigned to 3rd Battalion 8th Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
During his military service, Payton deployed to Japan, Haiti, Republic of Georgia and Iraq. While in Iraq on Iraqi in November 2005, his compound was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).
The RPG struck a chemical tank near Payton and it exploded, immersing him with a chemical that was believed to be ammonia.
The ammonia severely burned his eyes, his lungs, airways and body. Payton was evacuated to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, along with three other marines. While at BAMC, he was in a coma for two weeks as well as on life support, leaving his doctors and his family with little hope that he would survive this uncommon injury.
He retired from the Marine Corps in 2011 with multiple awards, including a Purple Heart, two Combat Action Ribbons, an Iraq Campaign medal, and Humanitarian Service medal, among others.
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