Injured Navy SEAL Receives A Mortgage-Free Home From Nonprofit That Assists Veterans: ‘I Feel Humbled’

Dec 26, 2019 by apost team

Stories of inspiration and dreams come true, but are few and far between. But during the holidays, it's always inspiring to read about the few that do. One such miracle happened when retired Navy SEAL Patrick Ferguson of Virginia Beach, VA was given a brand new home, mortgage-free. And even more touching than the amazing gift was Ferguson's humility.

The nonprofit organization, Building Homes for Heroes, builds a mortgage-free home every 11 days and awards a notable veteran with a place to live for life. So many veterans find themselves mentally and physically injured when they return home and sadly, many of them find themselves homeless, according to their website. Organizations like Building Homes for Heroes are trying one person at a time to change that.

apost.com

Navy Lieutenant Patrick Ferguson enlisted in the Navy in 1991 and, like most military personnel, the experience was life-changing. Not only did he watch many of his friends die during his deployment, but he suffered many challenging health conditions as well including several concussions, chronic migraines, tinnitus and ultimately post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, reports WTKR in Virginia Beach.

Many vets who have served in the military suffer from PTSD which can cause them to relive over and over the trauma that they experienced. Untreated, PTSD can lead to other mental health conditions including anxiety and depression, according to NCDI.

Ferguson went to say to WTKR that he doesn't feel like he deserves the house and that he worries about the families that are left behind. He added that he wished all of the families of the friends that he had lost could experience something as wonderful as his beautiful new home. He was touched and humbled by the overwhelming gift and expressed his concern and worry for the ones that were left behind as casualties as well as their families.

Building Homes for Heroes partnered with JP Morgan Chase & Co., who has gifted new homes to more than 1,000 veterans, as well as SAIC. Organizations such as these are not just expressing their gratitude and respect for our veterans. They are going one step further and doing something to change the world for them. 

Ferguson received several different awards, ribbons and medals during his service as a Navy SEAL. His story is one of inspiration for anyone who reads it and hopefully a call to action for all.