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Jan. 17, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: I’m a Rockbridge County veteran who spent 20 years on active duty. Just before Christmas, my wife and I attended a dinner hosted by the Lynchburg Area Veterans Council, where we were heartbroken to learn of a tragedy involving a local veteran. This veteran, with disabling PTSD, killed the mother of their two children, killed another person, and then took his own life leaving behind orphaned 6-yearold twins. The twins are now living with their aunt and her family in a small home in Bath County.
After speaking with the aunt, I knew we needed to take action to help this family. I called my friend, John Gallina, co-founder and CEO of Purple Heart Homes in Statesville, N.C. John quickly mobilized his network of supporters and within 24 hours we met at a small diner near the North Carolina/Virginia border where he handed me a stack of about $2,000 in gift cards for various essentials like food, clothing and fuel. Rex Brust, president of the Central Virginia Chapter of Purple Heart Homes, and I delivered these cards the next day, Christmas Eve, to the family.
During two visits we assessed the family’s living conditions and determined that they need additional living space. The home, already tight for their existing household, now houses seven people. With just one working bathroom and pressing heating and plumbing issues, it’s clear they need additional living space and critical home repairs.
This is where our community can make a real difference. We’re asking for your readers’ support to help this family. Funds are needed to build an addition to their home, improve plumbing and install better heating and airconditioning.
Checks can be mailed to: Purple Heart Homes, P.O. Box 5535, Statesville, NC 28687, Attn: Tim Mangum, with a note, “For VA Twins Project.”
Or, if you would like to donate online, go to Donate - Purple Heart Homes Inc. and select “VA Hearts of Healing” in the campaign drop down so we can designate the donation for this project. MIKE LENNON Rockbridge County
