Purple Heart Homes to break ground for service connected disabled Vietnam veteran David Morrell | Community Spirit

STATESVILLE - Purple Heart Homes Co-founders Dale Beatty and John Gallina will break ground for Service Connected Disabled Vietnam Veteran Dave Morrell at 4707 Chard Court in Harrisburg, NC on Saturday, January 29 with a kick-off ceremony at 10:00 AM. "We are honored to be building a bedroom addition for Dave Morrell so his existing bedroom can be converted to a handicap accessible bathroom to accommodate his current and future disabilities so he can safely and comfortably age in his existing home," said Co-founder John Gallina from Purple Heart Homes (see: www.phhnc.org or www.facebook.com/purplehearthomes)

Dave Morrell, age 63 volunteered to serve three tours of duty in the US Army Special Forces from 1967-1969.  Morrell like many Vietnam Veterans answering the call of duty was exposed to Agent Orange and now has diabetes and heart problems. Morrell had his left leg amputated.  He was fitted with a prosthetic leg and his right leg is beginning to cause him problems as well.  "Getting around with a walker in my house is a struggle for me," said Dave Morrell.  "I suffered with my disability for 20 years with constant pain before I finally had my leg amputated. Words cannot express the tremendous gratitude I have for Purple Heart Homes for recognizing the disabilities Vietnam veterans like myself must deal with on a daily basis," said Morrell. “To adapt my home to meet my current and future needs as I become less mobile is a real gift.”

Purple Heart Homes partnered with Kenneth Bealer Homes as the General Contractor to build the $25,000 addition for Dave Morrell (see: www.kennethbealerhomes.com).  Len Bealer said, "My father was a Sergeant Major in the Marine Corp that did four tours of duty in Vietnam. As a company that builds homes it simply feels good and right to give back to disabled veterans and make a difference in the lives of those that honorably served our country and had our backs."

"We are doing this addition so his existing bedroom can be converted in to a handicap accessible bathroom and laundry to accommodate Ihop’s current and future disabilities so he can safely and comfortably age in his existing home,” said Len Bealer from Kenneth Bealer Homes.  “I see a real opportunity for the building industry to build additions like this for not only Service Connected Disabled Veterans, but also for our aging society,” Bealer added. (See: http://www.kennethbealerhomes.com/)

The ground breaking will take place Saturday, January 29 at 10:00 AM at 4707 Chard Court in Harrisburg, NC and volunteers are invited to help move shrubbery and keep the job site clean.

According to a recent Bureau of Census data, North Carolina ranks 9th with a veteran population of 792,646. “Many veterans suffer from service connected injuries that fought for our country not only in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also in Vietnam, the Korean and WWII,” said John Gallina Co-founder of Purple Heart Homes. “Ihop is a 63 year old Vietnam Veteran who had his right leg amputated and there is a strong likelihood that his left will be have to be amputated as well,” said Gallina.  “We have to look at ways to help veterans that served our country remain in their own homes and avoid going to nursing homes for their care. We also have to consider the caregivers that are taking care of our aging veterans,” Gallina added.

“We need a number of volunteers to help us move shrubbery, keep the job site clean and provide a lunch for the workers," said Co-founder Dale Beatty.  "It is a great way for the community to come together to thank Dave Morrell for his service on our behalf," Beatty added.  Anyone interested in volunteering, or making a donation of time, materials or money should call Purple Heart Homes at 704-838-4044.