MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (Sept. 1, 2012) -- In 2009, Sgt. Maj. Raymond Mackey lost both of his legs in an improvised explosive device blast.
Mackey was deployed to Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment when his patrol came under attack. While reverting to a ditch to evade attack, the Marine in front of him stepped on the trigger of the IED, causing the detonation.
Upon being informed about Mackey’s situation, the Home Depot partnered with the Semper Fi Fund in the renovation and improvement of Mackey’s home.
“Organizations like us always try to do events like this because it is a real way to give back to the communities and families,” said Richard B. Webber, store manager at the Jacksonville N.C. Home Depot.
The construction on Mackey’s home was finished on Aug. 30 and took a total of 10 days to complete.
“The weather did not matter; come rain or shine all of the volunteers continued to do everything they could to make the completion date of this project for Mackey and his family,” said Webber.
The Mackey’s asked for a flag pole to be placed in the front yard as a sign of their patriotism.
They also asked for a path to the pool, because traversing the ungraded ground was no longer an option in his wheel chair or prosthesis.
Home Depot and the Semper Fi Fund also improved the accessibility to Mackey’s house, replaced their entire drainage system and remodeled the yard with an electric gate and new fence.
“The improvement project on Mackey’s house totaled more than $15,000,” said Webber. “All the work was done by more than 70 volunteers from Home Depot and the Semper Fi Fund and Marines from Marine Air Logistics Squadron 269.”
All of the volunteers that assisted with the project gave their time off to assist in this project.
“I have to hand it to all of the volunteers who came out because doing something for someone is one thing, but when you take your time off to provide assistance in the improvement of someone’s life that takes that little something different,” said Webber.
The Semper Fi Fund’s mission is to provide immediate financial support for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.
“I love taking a blank slate like this project and transforming it into something that can put a smile on the recipients’ faces,” said Webber.
“On behalf of myself and my family, I would like to thank everyone who came out to help with our home renovation,” said Mackey. “Thank you for all of the time and work that was given and put into improving our home.”