Pawling, N.Y. – 10/18/2014 – Mission complete: Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) and Purple Heart Homes hosted a “welcome home” ribbon cutting ceremony for Private Dan Flanigan’s completely renovated home in Pawling, NY.
Over the past year, Senator Ball has worked with Purple Heart Homes, local businesses and community members to completely renovate the home of, Dan Flanigan, a service-connected disabled veteran in Pawling. The 100-year-old home he was living in was in complete disrepair and lacked basic necessities, including a working shower.
“When we started this project Dan’s home was in complete disrepair, today he owns the nicest house on the block! The sad reality is that this hero, who suffered war wounds — both visible and internal, was on the verge of homelessness. However, thanks to the help of Purple Heart Homes and the immense community support, Dan will be able to proudly call this house his home for many years to come,” said Senator Greg Ball. “We must strive to do better for our veterans and for our true war heroes like Dan Flanigan. My hope is that this innovative doesn’t stop today, but that it sparks a movement as a nation.”
While serving in the Mekong Delta in 1969, Private Dan Flanigan suffered multiple wounds, including head injuries, when an enemy grenade exploded next to him during an ambush. Dan is a 100% service-connected disabled Vietnam Veteran.
Dan Flanigan inherited his parent’s home in Pawling, NY in 1999. Dan like many Vietnam service-connected disabled veterans lives on a fixed income. The home he lives in is 100 years old and was in dire need of repairs before Senator Greg Ball and Purple Heart Homes started renovations.
Dan was selected for a complete home re-modeling after a thorough vetting process by Purple Heart Homes, a non-profit based in Statesville, NC that provides housing solutions for disabled veterans.
“We are very proud of how the community, the professional trades, and Senator Ball came together to help support our mission and renovate a home for Dan Flanigan. We salute all the volunteers, sponsors, and supporters from Pawling and Paterson NY and The Hudson Valley area who stepped up to support a Veteran in need in their community. We want to express a special thank you to Senator Ball for his leadership and acknowledgment of the housing issues Veterans face each day. There are many Veterans just like Dan Flanigan who served honorably, suffered wounds and injuries all in the name of freedom. They should not have to fight again 40 years later to keep their family home or to just simply navigate aging and limiting disabilities in their home,” said John Gallina, Co-Founder of Purple Heart Homes.
Dan’s home was in disrepair for at least the last 30 years. The first step was to remove the front and rear porch, the next step was to build new bathroom with a shower that Dan previously never had. All the hardwood floors on the first floor were removed and replaced and new carpets were installed throughout the entire house. All of the windows and doors were replaced throughout the residence and the kitchen was removed and replaced with brand new cabinets, appliances and ceramic tile. A new roof was installed and the whole house was power washed and re-painted. To make the home more efficient, cellular insulation was blown into the attic area and the masonry chimney was removed and a new power vent was installed.
“I can’t say thank you enough to the wonderful people at Purple Heart Homes, Senator Ball’s office and all the businesses and community members that helped make this all possible. My parents left the house I live in to me back in 1999 when they passed away. It needed a lot of repairs, which I couldn’t afford. Now I can proudly say that my home is one of the nicest in our community,” said Dan Flanigan. “I thank God for sparing my life in Vietnam and am proud to have served my country to this day. Today as I stand on my front porch I am proud to call this house my home.”
“It has been an honor and a privilege for me to have worked with a man whose vision, foresight tenacity and leadership have resulted in some of the greatest gains in veterans issues this state has ever seen. He has authored, co-authored and sponsored more legislation, in that arena, than any other legislator in recent memory. It was solely because of him that Purple Heart Homes came to NY to collaborate with us to start and finish the ‘aging in place’ program for Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart recipient Dan Flanigan of Pawling, NY,” said Eugene Parrotta, Director of Veterans Affairs for the 40th Senate District. “I look forward to continuing the work we have started here with all the communities in the Hudson Valley. I only hope our next State Senator is as fervent and tenacious and willing to help our veterans as Greg Ball was.”
If you know a veteran in need, please visit: www.purplehearthomesusa.org.