Local Veteran Honored with Mortgage-Free Home

On October 21, 2022, U.S. Army Specialist Jacob Sanchez and his family were honored with a mortgage-free home from Operation Finally Home.

The home, located in Nebraska Heights in Alamo, Texas, was made possible by the support of the organization’s sponsors — H-E-B, Courtesy Custom Homes, and McCoy’s Building Supply—and with help from local contractors, suppliers, and donors. The brother -sister
team of Carlos and Rosita Juvera, owners of Courtesy Custom Homes, generously donated the two lots needed for the large home. They also donated their time and labor to make the home a reality for Jacob (Jake), his wife Samantha (Sam), and their six children: Jacob (10), Jason (9), Jackson (6), Scarlett (7), Penelope (4), and Aubriela (2).

Specialist Jacob Sanchez joined the Army in 2009 as a cavalry scout, initially stationed in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He deployed to Afghanistan, and on July 5, 2011, insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. Sanchez, the gunner for his lead truck crew, immediately returned fire, but his gun jammed.

He knew his crew’s lives depended on him so—without hesitation—he jumped on the truck. While exposed to enemy fire, he was able to fix his weapon. A second jam soon occurred, but this time he was not able to repair the weapon because of intense enemy fire from all sides. In the end, he was able to help his crew survive the attack, but Sanchez’ friend, a truck commander in a neighboring vehicle, did not—a solemn reminder of the ultimate sacrifice many of our veterans make.

During his service in Iraq, Sanchez suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and, as a result of his many missions, currently suffers from post-traumatic stress and migraine headaches. He was medically retired with an honorable discharge in 2013 and received several service awards, including a Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

The Sanchez family was touched by the outpouring of support from the community and feels truly blessed to receive the mortgage-free home. Despite all they have been through, the members of the Sanchez family remain strong in their faith and are grateful for their extended family, friends, and the organizations that helped them realize their dream of owning a home.

Operation Finally Home is a national nonpartisan, non-profit organization that provides custom-built mortgage-free homes and home modifications to injured veterans, first responders, and the families of the fallen. Since its founding in 2015 by Dan Wallrath, Operation Finally Home has been “Honoring Heroes with Homes,” impacting the lives of more than 400 families in 34 states. To date, Operation Finally Home has completed:

• 206 new homes (59 being planned or constructed)
• 85 home modifications (53 being planned or constructed)
• 5 tiny homes (39 being planned or constructed)

The organization provides communities, builders, and suppliers opportunities to do what
they’ve always wanted to do—give back to veterans and others who have sacrificed so much for us. Together with Operation Finally Home, they all help put a roof over the heads of heroes and their families who do not have that ability because of the injuries they sustained as a result of serving us.

-Photos of the Sanchez family home in Alamo, Texas-