Dallas BA Completes 9th Operation Finally Home Project: Lelea Family Gets a New, Mortgage-Free Home
Due to the ongoing support from members of the Dallas Builders Association, the City of Irving, Garvey Homes, NEC Corporation of America and Operation Finally Home, another deserving veteran realized the dream of home ownership last month. Dedication ceremonies were held Nov. 9 for U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Samasoni Lelea and his family.
This is the ninth home the Dallas BA has been a part of and the third house being constructed in Irving. By council vote, the City of Irving has donated four lots to Operation Finally Home for first responders and U.S. military veterans. Thank you to all the vendors, suppliers and trades who liberally donated their materials, time and talent.
Lelea, an American Samoa native from the far eastern village of Onenoa, is a two-time Purple Heart recipient who served his country for 22-plus years. Throughout his career, he was deployed to Iraq three times and sustained severe injuries, including traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and other physical wounds following two separate attacks on his vehicle. Despite these injuries, Lelea remained on active duty until his medical retirement in February 2020.
During the dedication ceremony, representatives from participating organizations highlighted the importance of community and neighborly support, noting that the Lelea family’s new home symbolizes the spirit of unity and appreciation for military service.
