A 76-year-old Marine Corps veteran is getting something this week that most people only dream about: a brand new home, built in front of the nation. Jim Taylor’s 480-square-foot modular house has been assembled piece by piece on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., over the past seven days by the nonprofit Purple Heart Homes. The organization nominated and chose Taylor for the gift, and the finished home will be unveiled Monday before it heads to Glasgow, Virginia, where Taylor will live.
What makes the story stick with people is who Taylor is. He works at Fifth Street Ministries, an organization that serves homeless veterans. He’s seen the need up close, including homeless veterans sleeping five to a room, and he’s said simply that people don’t realize how many veterans need help. Hearing that the home would be his came as a complete surprise, and he’s described watching it come together on the Mall as a great experience.
For those of us in Gulf Coast beach communities, from Sarasota down to Port Charlotte, the story mirrors work already happening here. Local organizations support veterans, retirees, and snowbirds all year, and the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors never really goes out of season. If this story moves you, consider volunteering or donating to a veteran housing group in your own backyard.
What veteran organization in our area would you like to see get more support?
