'Welcome Home, SSG Young': Community, officials welcome injured Army veteran home in special key ceremony

When most folks move into a new home, they might have a moving truck, order some pizza, or maybe a neighbor stops by. They certainly do not get the welcome that Army Veteran SSG Randall Young received Saturday morning. Nor one that is more earned.

On Saturday morning, as SSG Young made his way to his new home, it wasn’t a series of moving vans that escorted him. This special occasion called for an escort from the Alaska State Troopers, Mat-Su Fire, and a cadre of riders from the American Legion Riders and the Christian Motor Cyclist Association, among others.

When SSG Young pulled into his driveway, the blacktop wasn’t lined with moving boxes, but rather dozens of greeters waving American flags as they waved him home. Among them, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Mike Shower, Sen.David Wilson, and Rep. Cathy Tilton.

“SSG, welcome to our family here in Alaska,” Dunleavy said during remarks at a special key ceremony held this past Saturday as National nonprofit organization, Homes for Our Troops (HFOT), gifted SSG Young a new home that is specifically adapted to his needs resulting from injuries he sustained while serving in the Army in Iraq.

In February, 2007, while on his second combat deployment to Iraq, SSG Young’s vehicle hit an IED while supporting a dismounted patrol that was searching for insurgents. The impact and power of the IED blast partially ejected SSG Young through the turret before the truck landed on its roof, crushing his legs.

When the SSG returned to U.S. soil, he was transported to Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He had grown up in Fort Hood, so he was no stranger to military life. Waiting for him at home was his mother and his sister. And a difficult decision. He could amputate his legs or rebuild the bones that had been injured, but would never walk well, and he would suffer ongoing pain.

After two years of rehab in physical therapy, SSG Young was able to beat the odds, taking his first steps with the assistance of a cane. Even now, he continues to exercise daily to maintain strength in his legs and continue to walk.

SSG Young is now medically retired, but continues to face challenges. Although he is able to walk, his injuries continue to put pressure on his back and upper legs, which cause tension pain.

His physical limitations require adaptations that most homes and apartments simply do not or cannot accommodate. And that’s where HFOT comes in.

HFOT was started in 2004 by a general contractor who offered to build a specially adapted home for a soldier injured in Iraq, who agreed with a stipulation that he do the same for other injured soldiers.

The nonprofit has made it their mission to build and donate specially adapted custom homes nationwide for post-9/11 severely injured Veterans and enable them to rebuild their lives.

“With more veterans per capita than any other state, we love our military, active, reserve, veterans, and their families more than any other state,” said Dunleavy, who also expressed interest in having more homes for injured and disabled veterans courtesy of HFOT. “We’re excited to have more of these home here, with 110% support.”

“You are not forgotten. There are people out there who are constantly trying to show you that they care,” said SSG Young, adding that whether it’s through donating a home, donating time, or donating money to HFOT and other nonprofits. He also urged veterans to take a chance and apply for those benefits and opportunities. “You are worth it.”

To date, the nonprofit has gifted 338 homes to post-9/11 severely injured veterans in 43 states. Currently, HFOT has over 75 active projects under planning or construction the United States. When gifting a home, recipients are given the choice of where they would like to call home.

SSG Young chose Alaska.

He first had to spend a year here, mostly to make sure that it would be a good fit and have the services he would need moving forward. As he is originally from Texas, when asked why he picked Alaska, SSG Young simply said, “Its cooler here.”

The event was coordinated and overseen by Shayna Munro, marking the first time she had overseen a key ceremony. Fitting as this was the first house HFOT has donated in Alaska, but Munro is confident that more homes will be gifted to veterans throughout the state.

The ceremony was filled with exceptional moments as officials spoke with emotion about the importance of service to country, and supporting the veterans who call Alaska home.

SGM Brian Benson, the Sergeant Major of the 673rd Airbase Wing Installation, addressed that support to the military and veteran community.

“I am overwhelmed by the patriotism and generosity that I’ve seen since coming to Alaska, and there’s no better display of patriotism than what I see today,” he said.

And as if to emphasize the SGM’s point, it was then that a bald eagle flew over the canopy covering the audience and speakers.

“It requires repeating, he (SSG Young) is one of the less than 1% of our country that have volunteered to support and defend the Constitution. When you think of what our veterans, what our military has done for our country, no one has done more to support people throughout the world…than any other force in the history of the world,” said Sullivan. “We need to tell the families of the fallen, the families of the ones who’ve sacrificed that we appreciate their service and that it wasn’t in vain.”

“I genuinely admire this community and the care you surround our veterans with, it does not go unnoticed, especially with getting to see that with fellow veteran SSG Young, being taken care of this way is genuinely a big deal for me personally,” SGM Benson said.

He also served multiple tours in Iraq, often conducting route clearance and counter IED operations.

“I think what you’re seeing here is Alaska at its finest,” said Sullivan as he remarked that the list of people who helped make it possible to give SSG Young a new home.

SSG Young’s home was built by local homebuilder, Sumner Homebuilders. This was their first build with HFOT.

“We’ve had a lot of recognition, be there are a lot individuals and companies that helped with this build, even the smallest thing going above and beyond with extra effort to get things done on time and holding their prices during rampant inflation couldn’t have done this without their help,” said Max Sumner.

Among some of the many donors that helped with the build were Budget Blinds who donated blinds and washing machine and dryer; Storage Auctions, which graciously donated a portion of the proceeds from every event they hosted; and McKenna Brothers paving which donated a blacktop driveway.

SSG Young was gifted with a handmade quilt from Quilts of Valor, which was formed in 2003 by a Blue Star mother while her son was deployed to Iraq, as a way for her to do something for the deployed troops. Nearly 318,500 quilts have been awarded since then, and as SSG Young accepted and wrapped himself in the quilt, the organization recognized his sacrifice as the red, white, and blue quilt is an expression of gratitude.

However, one moment stood apart from the rest, showing that Alaskans will never let anyone fall alone. As Tabitha Scott began singing the National Anthem, she unexpectedly broke with emotion, the guests, without a thought, broke into song and helped complete the National Anthem. An example of just how much the community appreciates and values its active duty and veterans.

Of course, as with any new move, there is more to be done-namely, furniture. But he has already scoped out one of his favorite spots, the Jacuzzi tub in his wheelchair-accessible bathroom with a heated floor.

“I’m excited, overwhelmed, anxious,” said SSG Young about his new home.

“We all know our freedoms aren’t free, and it takes individuals like yourself putting your life out there,” said Representative Tilton.

“So Clay, for your service, and for what you’ve been through, what your comrades, there is no way to really say ‘thank you’,” an emotional Senator Shower said during the ceremony, speaking from the heart as he related to SSG Young’s experience as his own son was also deployed to Iraq and suffered an IED attack. “Welcome, and we are thankful that you chose our state.”

After a flag raising, keys were happily turned over and a yellow ribbon cut to commemorate this moment.

During the open house, guests were invited to see firsthand the adaptations Sumner Homebuilders made to SSG Young’s new home, including a kitchen with lowered shelves and counters, widened hallways to accommodate his wheelchair, windows that open side to side, and other specialty items so he can perform daily activities safely and comfortably-all adapted to meet his specific needs.

“Wow, beautiful. Congratulations,” Sullivan told SSG Young.

There was a heavy veteran presence at the ceremony to welcome SSG Young to the community.

“Once they know you’ve moved up here, once they know you’re a veteran, they’re going to embrace you like they embrace all veterans embrace each other,” said Dunleavy, who like the officials that attended and spoke, comes from a family of veterans.

“There is no debt greater than serving our country, so thank you,” said Wilson.

“We get to live our lives without worrying about our safety because we know that our knights in shining armor, both men and women, are standing on the ramparts 24/7, 365, that allow us to live the life we have today,” Dunleavy said before offering thanks on behalf of all Alaskans.

Speaking directly to SSG Young, SGM Benson said, “You have sacrificed so much for our country, your family, and your loved ones. You continue to sacrifice. I am genuinely overcome with your efforts and with what you’ve done both in uniform and not. Thank you for everything you’ve done to protect our freedoms. Here’s to a new start. SSG Young, welcome home, brother.”

While expressions of gratitude and honor colored the morning, perhaps no words better summed up the ceremony better that Tilton, who said, “Thank you all for your service, and welcome home, SSG Young.”

For more information about Homes For Our Troops, or to donate, please visit www.hfotusa.org