Foundation Work on Smyrna Veteran Home Nears Completion; Volunteer Labor Needed

The organization behind the construction of a special home in Smyrna for a disabled Florida veteran and his family says that it’s almost ready to complete one of the most important parts of construction.

Carol Rice, co-founder of Operation Soldier At Ease says that the foundation for the Americans with Disabilities (ADA)-compliant home on Linnwood Drive is almost complete, in no small part due to the efforts of countless volunteers and donations from local businesses.

The foundation was laid with the use of a concrete pumping truck driven by a veteran, Rice said. The driver watched, with tears in his eyes, as the truck poured the concrete over the pre-built forms for the foundation.

The Atlanta Braves have donated dirt to level out the ground in front of the home. The Home Depot is practically giving away hay bales, rebar, and anything else they can provide to help the build. The contractors and private construction companies who are helping with the build always seem to know someone else in the business who would love to finish off another part of the project, Rice says.

According to Rice, the next step in construction is to install concrete pillars inside the foundation and smoothing out the remaining concrete. Rice says she needs someone to come smooth the concrete, and is also looking for 65 blocks and capstones to complete the foundation. There will be no basement, but a seven-foot crawlspace, Rice said.

After the foundation is complete, workers will begin erecting frames and installing necessities. Walters said they are looking for donations of Tyvek, stone siding, windows, doors, and sheet rock. In addition, Rice and Walters are still looking for roofers, but have already been promised the services of professional electricians, plumbers, and HVAC installers.

Operation Soldier at Ease is working hand in hand with the local American Legion Post, a group which Rice says is “desperate for recognition” in the community. The Legion will be a focal point of Operation Soldier at Ease activities in coming weeks and months; Rice and Walters are putting together a bridal expo and “inexpensive wedding” yard sale which will be held at the banquet hall. Additionally, the disabled veteran and his family will get a chance to meet Smyrna residents and businesspeople at the banquet hall in late February or early March.

The family which will receive the new home in Smyrna has gone through very trying times, Rice said. The Florida-based family lost a home during Hurricane Andrew, and the veteran was disabled during an IED attack overseas. The attack has left the veteran with seizures which will eventually put him in a wheelchair, Rice said.

The veteran’s deployment and subsequent injury caused the family to lose another home in Tampa, Rice said. Furthermore, the family’s youngest son was killed in a car accident two years ago.

“Whether people believe military folks are heroes, or people just doing their jobs, they deserve respect and they deserve help when they need it,“ Rice said.

If you or your business are in a position to donate building materials or services to Operation Soldier at Ease, please contact them at info@operationsoldieratease.org or by calling (770) 435-5009