War vet given new home — Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison gave former Marine Cpl. Paul Gardner and his new bride a ceremonial key today.
Nick de la Torre : Chronicle
Posted on 08/13/2007 5:48:01 PM PDT by Dubya
It wasn't your typical move-in day for former Marine Cpl. Paul Gardner and his new bride, Ashley.
While Ashley stood beside her husband, seated in his wheel chair, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, presented the couple with a ceremonial key to their new Sugar Land home, bought and paid for through the Rotary Club of Houston's "Wounded Hero Home Program."
"I didn't think I would have this nice of a house at the age of 25," said Garnder, who was paralyzed from the waist down after he was shot during a house-to-house search for insurgents near Baghdad in 2003.
"Every time I come into this home I feel so blessed."
The Gardners are the first couple to receive a new home, but
Rotarians hope to provide homes to 14 other veterans wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Every inch of the more than 2,700- square-foot home was built with Gardner's needs in mind. Doorways are widened to three-feet, the floors are covered in tile or hardwoods so he can maneuver easily and countertops are within his reach. The master bath also has a "roll in" shower entry.
The new home also comes with the Rotary Club's promise to provide mentors as the Gardners start up a photography business. Gardner said he and Ashley will get to work on their new venture as soon as things quiet down. First, they have to take a honeymoon trip to Las Vegas.
In one quiet spot in the kitchen were Gardner's parents, Danny and Brenda Gardner of Oklahoma, who made the trip down to see the new home. Danny Gardner said he could hardly describe the feeling when he found out his son had been wounded four years ago.
The new home, he said, would certainly help his son and daughter-in-law as they start their news lives together.
Ashley's grandmother, Lillian Alexander, said she has already claimed her guest room. "That front bedroom will be mine," she joked.
Neighbors Roger and Amy Hoover, along with their three boys, were also among a den filled with people. They had presented the Gardners with $1,000 worth of gift certificates to spend at Target and other stores so they can stock their new home.
"We're lucky to have them and they're lucky to have us," Amy Hoover said. "We have a great neighborhood."
rosanna.ruiz@chron.com
Texans do it right. Thank you Paul Gardner for your service to this country ! This is the least you and your family deserve
War vet given new home — Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison gave former Marine Cpl. Paul Gardner and his new bride a ceremonial key today.
Nick de la Torre : Chronicle
Where was his congressman, Nick Lampson (D)?
PINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
I always thought it would be sweet to live in Sugarland : )
A well deserved gift for a great couple from a great organization!
Semper Fi, Marine!
MIA...like he will be the rest of the time he is in office! The man is worthless!
This is my district and I never even hear Lampson’s name - ever. I’m still furious he was elected.
I am live in CD 22 as well. Richmond and previeously SugarLand. And yes, I hear nothing about Lampson except in the SouthWestern Sun local news. He has never answer any of my 5 letters to him. During the same time I continue to recieve e-mails from Shelly Secula Gibbs. Although she only served for 2 months as our Representative she has the common courtesy to return letters and e-mails. I met her at the SugarLand Airport during her run for office and she was really nice and likeable.
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