Island Roots, Prairie Home: Hawaii Veteran Gifted House in West Fargo
There
are moments in your job that stay with you. Ones you cherish and that change
your perspective on why you do what you do.
Working for a company that provides homes for people has
always been rewarding. There’s something special about the emotional connection
of a home, a place to call yours, somewhere you can gather with family and
friends. Home is more than a place, it where life happens. It’s where you can lounge,
watch your favorite shows, and make lasting memories. It’s a safe space to be yourself. At Thomsen
Homes we are privileged to be able to build homes for people, for families, pets,
a space for hobbies and lasting memories.
What a home can mean to someone took on a whole new meaning
last week when we partnered with Freedom Alliance and U.S. Bank to give Stuart
Fuke, combat wounded U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman, a new home, fully furnished and located
in West Fargo, ND.
A Hawaiian native, Stuart comes from a long line of military
personnel in his family and like his family lineage, Stuart had a desire to
help people.
Fuke joined the Navy and deployed twice to Afghanistan. During one mission his patrol suffered a mass casualty
event when an IED detonated, injuring several Marines. Being on the frontlines,
Stuart played a crucial role and helped save lives to aid in the team’s
mission.
He treated multiple Marines under fire, and was later shot
in his right thigh, where he underwent multiple surgeries. His injuries
resulted in partial paralysis, limiting his mobility.
Meeting Stuart and hearing his story puts things into
perspective. I had the honor of spending time with him, and chatting with his mother,
Dee, and her best friend who traveled from Hawaii to be with Stuart as he starts this new chapter.
Speaking with Dee and hearing her recount the emotional and
physical toll her son had endured, it’s clear that she has been a constant
force of love and strength to get her son back to a healthy place. She was all
smiles as she listened to Stuart open up about the demons he’s faced, and how
she along with his military brothers gave him the strength to push forward.
Stuart shared, “I can’t believe
it’s mine and everything in it. I’m ready to start brand-new again... I’m such
a big family guy, even the Marines I served with, they’re my family now. I’m so
appreciative and grateful to have them here.”
I was in awe of the team at Freedom Alliance, who have
gifted 23 homes to military families across the country, a powerful gesture in
response to extraordinary acts of bravery. Partnering with them and U.S. Bank
has been an incredible experience, as they help provide a fresh start for these
deserving veterans and their families.
His story is heroic and deeply moving. His next chapter
begins in a new city, and a new state. We joked about the ND winters, but that
didn’t faze him and he is looking forward to a quieter, slower pace place to
call home.
He’s endured experiences that most of us will never fully
understand. For myself, and on behalf of all the Thomsen Homes team, Stuart’s
bravery on the battlefield and his continued resilience in civilian life
inspire us all.
It was a privilege to stand beside him as he
begins a new chapter in West Fargo, North Dakota.
