Retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. James King
Christmas is coming a few days early for the King family.
A little more than a year ago, local builders, funded by several nonprofit agencies, broke ground on a new home in the Belmont Lake Preserve subdivision that was being built specifically for U.S. Marine Corps veteran Sgt. James “Jimmy” King, who was wounded while fighting in the war on terror.
Trevor Foote, owner of Moorefield Realty in Rocky Mount, said it was the goal of organizing agencies to have King and his family home by Christmas.
“Well, it is happening!” Foote said.
A special dedication for King and his family will he held on Thursday, Foote said.
Spearheading the project is Helping a Hero founder Meredith Iler.
Iler said The Wounded Hero Home Program is her organization’s signature homebuilding program for severely injured veterans who were wounded fighting the nation’s war on terror.
“Helping a Hero homes are designed to maximize the veteran’s independence,” Iler said.
The homes are wheelchair-accessible and include roll-in showers, roll-under sinks, an adapted toilet area and other safety features, Iler said.
The event to welcome the King family into their new home is scheduled for noon Thursday at 648 Chimney Hill Way in Rocky Mount.
On Sept. 12, 2022, officials from the city of Rocky Mount, members of veterans’ groups, local firefighters, representatives from Bass Pro Shops and Helping a Hero, residents of the subdivision and local school children gathered in a lot at the subdivision located near N.C. Wesleyan University to show King and his family the site of their new home. The event came to a rousing conclusion as country music great Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Among those speaking at that event was Mayor Sandy Roberson, who welcomed the Kings to the city and commended the work being done by Helping a Hero to build homes for wounded veterans.
“Helping a Hero is a remarkable organization that supports our military veterans through local partnerships to provide accessible homes and the resources they need to become active members of the community,” Roberson said at the ground-breaking event.