Navy Veteran Luisa Velez Surprised with Groundbreaking for Mortgage-Free Home
The Dallas BA joined with Operation FINALLY HOME to surprise U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Luisa Velez with the news that she and her son will be moving into a custom-built, mortgage-free home in Irving. Other project partners in attendance to welcome her home included Builder Captain Winston Custom Homes, the Dallas BA’s Dallas Division and the City of Irving, who donated the lot.
The Nov. 12 event drew a large crowd that included neighbors, dignitaries and supporters of the project.
Velez was under the impression she was being invited to attend an interview with a potential builder who was considering building a home for a veteran and that she was one of many who were being considered. In actuality, she had already been selected by Operation FINALLY HOME as the recipient. Once she arrived at the lot and it dawned on her that she was to receive a life-changing gift, she quickly became overwhelmed with emotion.
Velez comes from a long lineage of military men, and shortly after turning 18, she became the first female in her family to enlist.
After boot camp, Velez learned that she experiences severe motion sickness. This discovery changed the trajectory of her career in the Navy, but she was as eager to pivot her efforts to the medical battalion.
During her first deployment to Iraq in 2003, Velez worked in a mobile surgical unit, taking incoming patients and stabilizing them before they were transported to the ship or hospital. The start of the war brought many sleepless nights due to missile bombings and mortar attacks among other uncertainties.
In 2004, Velez was deployed to Iraq for a second time. During this deployment, Velez and her platoon were stationed at a fixed camp where the hospital was housed inside a larger building. The first three weeks of her deployment went smoothly and without much activity, until the hospital building was struck during mortar attacks. This was the first time they lost a Marine and it was devastating for Velez. This and other experiences overseas led Velez to return from deployment with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
For her service, Velez was recognized with a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Presidential Unity Citation, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, along with other accolades.
Receiving the home was the shock of her life, Velez said. “I never thought being in the service was glamorous. I never did it for accolades,” she said.
“The outcome is this opportunity, now. And once again the military has done me a great service. Everybody that is participating in this, in my book, is one of the best people in the world.”
She currently resides with her son in Duncanville. They enjoy drawing, painting, crocheting, swimming and fishing together, as well as spending time with family in the area.
The home was designed by Scott Roberts with Creative Architects and is the eighth project the Dallas Builders Association has partnered with Operation FINALLY HOME. Many Association members came together to make this dream come true for an American Hero.
Stay tuned for announcements for upcoming events which will include a notes of love and dedication ceremony. The City of Irving has donated the two adjacent lots next to the Velez family project.
If you are interested in contributing to a build, please contact Sheena.Beaver@dallasbuilders.com.
Photos courtesy of Scott Roberts, Creative Architects