SANTA ROSA BEACH — As the front door swung open, Army Staff Sgt. Aaron Hale paused a moment on the stoop for his wife Kelly to peer into their new home. Kelly took in the new furniture and renovations, and a smile spread across her face.
“Oh my gosh!” she said before clapping a hand over her mouth and wiping her feet on the new mat.
“Everyone wiped their feet, right?” Aaron joked as he hurriedly wiped his own.
Hundreds of friends, family, well-wishers and dignitaries from the military and local community welcomed the Hale family to their newly renovated, mortgage-free home Saturday.
“This is the most beautiful crowd I have ever seen,” Kelly said after the ceremony.
View a photo gallery of the celebration. >>
Watch a video of the celebration. >>
People began gathering outside the house Saturday morning, with shuttles bringing many them to Pelican Bay Drive in Santa Rosa Beach.
For Rita Tuttle of Maine, the event was a chance to pay her respects to a soldier and his family.
“Our heart goes out to the family,” Tuttle said.
Aaron, an EOD technician, was blinded by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in December 2011. The Hales and their four children have been living in temporary homes as they have travel for his medical care.
When Mike Mack, Eglin Air Force Base’s recovery care coordinator, heard that Building Homes for Heroes had expanded into the area, he immediately told the Hales about the opportunity. The nonprofit organization builds and renovates homes for severely wounded or disabled service members from Iraq and Afghanistan who are in need.
“For them to finally have a place to call home is exciting,” Mack said of the Hales.
Chase Bank donated the house to Building Homes for Heroes. The renovations by Randy Wise Homes included an outdoor grilling station, a new kitchen, floors and more.
A homecoming celebration led up to the gifting of the Hales’ house keys. Two T-6 Texans flew overhead and awed the crowd with their tricks and a heart made of smoke. An Eglin honor guard presented the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Emerald Coast Young Marines. Several speakers, including Eglin Maj. Gen. Kenneth Merchant, spoke of the Hales and their journey.
“In our life journey, I bet many of us will remember this (day) 10, 20 years from now,” said Andy Pujol, president and founder of Building Homes for Heroes.
Aaron’s voice wavered as he thanked the crowd and those who have helped him and his family.
“We do it so others don‘t get hurt,” he said. “I’d like to thank Andy and those at Building Homes for Heroes. They do it so those that got hurt don’t get lost.”
