By Erin McClary
C & G Staff Writer

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Nearly 80 volunteers showed up in the pouring rain Oct. 30 to kick off a three-day “Build Brigade” for U.S. Army Spc. Alex Knapp’s specialty home on Downing Street in Macomb Township, provided by the Homes for Our Troops charity.

Several of the volunteers were skilled trades people, taking time off work or donating material toward the construction of Knapp’s new home. The heavy building started shortly before 9 a.m. and by 4 p.m., the home’s entire foundation had been erected.

It didn’t stop raining until noon, said Knapp, 23.

“They were out here, in the pouring rain, pounding nails,” he continued. “It’s absolutely amazing.”

Knapp, who served in Iraq for the 230th Military Police Company of the U.S. Army, lost both of his legs from the knee down in March of last year after an improvised explosion device struck the vehicle he was riding in.

“You can’t be mad about it,” he said. “We laugh about it and make jokes. If you don’t, it’ll eat you up.”

He recovered and rehabbed for 19 months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, his mother wrote to Homes for Our Troops, asking what they could do for her young, disabled soldier.

Knapp was all for the idea, but wasn’t sure it’d actually come to fruition. To his surprise, though, the organization jumped on the opportunity to help. Within months, they were laying out blueprints for a one-story home with wide doorways, hardwood and tile flooring, lower countertops, an elevator to the basement and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.

“I had no idea it would work out like this,” said a smiling Knapp. The soldier was in high spirits as he sat in the sprinkling rain Oct. 30, watching contractors and builders raise the planks of his new home.

Tom Saracino, a volunteer from Vito Anthony Homes and Palazzolo Brothers construction, organized all the general contracting for the Knapp project. He said one of the most inspiring aspects of the “story” is all the volunteers taking time away from their jobs during a depressed economy to help.

“These guys are out there working in the homes industry — an industry that’s devastated by the economy right now — but they’re all out here and excited to do this for Alex,” he said.

Vicki Thomas, media relations for Homes for Our Troops, agreed. “When southeast Michigan is the hardest hit in the economy, they’re here volunteering their time, their materials and their hearts to a veteran that sacrificed his service to our country and came home severely injured,” she said. “This will help him close to that chapter and move on with his life.”

Homes for Our Troops was founded in 2004 as a charity for disabled veterans returning from war. The nonprofit currently has more than 30 specialty homes in various states of construction throughout the nation and more than 40 homes completed to date.

“We just figure these guys have a lot of medical issues they’re dealing with,” said Larry Gill, veterans liaison for Homes for Our Troops. “And if we can help their quality of life and make their recovery easier by having them not worrying about paying their mortgage … this is the way to do it.”

Knapp, an graduate of Eisenhower High School and former resident of Shelby Township, returned home from D.C. a month ago. Upon his arrival, he gained instant attention from local veterans organizations and media groups wanting to help.

He had to have business cards made. “I’m not your average soldier, I guess.”

When Homes for Our Troops contacted Macomb Township for permit assistance in building Knapp’s home, the Board of Trustees was disappointed to announce that it’d be illegal to dip into taxpayer money to pay for the buildings fees.

But Trustee Nancy Nevers, president of the Shelby-Macomb Daybreakers Kiwanis Club and local veterans advocate, said she wasn’t going to let the ball drop on “getting that home built for him.” She, her Kiwanis group and other local veterans organizers came together and raised almost double the $4,700 needed to get the ball rolling on construction.

A spaghetti dinner was held Oct. 22 at the Disabled American Veterans Hall in Shelby Township, where Nevers said the turnout made for a “huge success.”

During an Oct. 28 Board of Trustees meeting, she gave special thanks to Tina’s Country House, El Fornaio Bakery and Vendetti’s Pizzeria for their generous donations of food, supplies and labor during the fundraiser; as well as to the seniors at Eisenhower how came out to help clean, her Kiwanis group and all the people that came out to donate.

The event raised $7,461. What’s left after paying for permit and buildings fees will go toward upgrades in Knapp’s new home.

When it’s all finished and he’s moved in and settled, Knapp said he’d throw a housewarming party to show everyone exactly what they’ve done for him.

You can reach Staff Writer Erin McClary at emcclary@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1118.