Army veteran in Decatur gets ‘blessing’ of a new roof

Purple Heart Homes comes to aid of fellow soldier.

A U.S. Army veteran in Decatur got a new roof free of charge thanks to a part- nership with Purple Heart Homes.

Tommy Lee Gibson received a new roof from the metro Atlanta chapter of the veterans organization based in Statesville, North Carolina.

“Pur p le Heart Homes Metro Atlanta is back in action after a several month hiatus due to COVID-19,” read a Facebook post from the organization.

“As we all know life goes on and we are honored to support disabled veteran Tommy Lee Gibson with a new roof. Thank you Owens Corning for providing another veteran in the Metro with a much needed roof.”

According to the DeKalb Neighbor, Owens Corning Platinum Roofing Contractor, Roofing Resources of Georgia, donated the labor as part of the Owens Corning

Roof Deployment Project.

Roofing materials were provided by Owens Corn- ing Foundation.

Gibson said the new roof was “a gift from God and a blessing.”

His old roof was in serious need of repair follow- ing damage.

Purple Heart Homes has been serving veterans for 12 years after John Gallina and the late Dale Beatty, both of whom were wounded in combat, founded it in 2008.

The organization says there are 3.4 million veterans who are service-disabled in the U.S. and 90% of veterans are unable to get their homes fitted to meet their accessibility needs.

“Purple Heart Homes is dedicated to providing hous- ing solutions for Service

Connected Disabled and Aging Veterans that is substantial in function, design, and quality fit to welcome home the fighting men and women of America,” the mission states.

Locally, Purple Heart Homes focuses on making home repairs for veterans of all wars, including building ramps and wheelchair accessible bathrooms.