CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- A Cape Coral veteran and his wife received a new home on the 15th anniversary of Sept. 11, in honor of his sacrifice in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Corey Kent (Ret.) was awarded the Purple Heart, after losing both his legs and the fingers on his left hand as a result of an IED explosion in Afghanistan. His new smart-home is built to help him overcome challenges he may have using a wheelchair.
The home is courtesy of Aubuchon homes and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers foundation, established in honor of fallen 9/11 firefighter Stephen Siller, built through its Building for America's Bravest program.
Sgt. Kent and his wife, Brandy, saw their home for the first time at a ceremony held in front of it, to honor 9/11 first responders and current/former military. "I think we're both just totally overwhelmed," said Kent. "I'm just blown away."
Kent said the somber day is a large reason he joined the armed forces in the first place. "I remember being in middle school, seeing it happen on the news and not really understanding what was going on," he said.
Upon Kent's homecoming, Aubuchon homes and the Stephen Siller foundation broke ground to the home. Months later, the Kents said it will be life changing. "I definitely think it's going to make it so much easier for us," said Mrs. Kent. "It's just going to be amazing for him to be able to cook and do all the things that he would've been able to do before."
The ceremony ended with Sgt. Kent raising the American flag up at his home for the first time. "We're just so thankful. We love this community, that's why we wanted to build here and live here," he said. "We're looking forward to starting our lives here."
