Tim McGraw, Chase and Operation Homefront Award Home in Cleveland
Once again, we were honored to join
Tim McGraw and
Chase in giving a mortgage-free home away. The deserving recipient this time was Army Specialist Frank DeLorenzo and his family. The DeLorenzo family joined us at Tim McGraw's concert in Cleveland recently. The home was given as part of our Homes on the Homefront program, which provides mortgage-free homes to military and veteran families who qualify.
Learn more about Frank DeLorenzo: For many, joining the military is something they will never experience. It takes a special commitment to country and neighbor. Sometimes, having family members go before can help in making the decision. For one Ohio veteran it was a combination of family history and wanting to serve his country that made him join.
Frank DeLorenzo grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, OH and wanted to follow in the footsteps of many family members that had joined the military. He joined the Army in September of 1994. During his time, he was stationed at Ft. Knox, KY, Ft. Bragg, NC, and did a tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at FOB COBRA. While in Iraq, Frank suffered injuries that included PTSD and TBI.
After being discharged from the Army in 2007, his service was not finished. Frank wanted to assist returning soldiers that were dealing with many of the same struggles he had faced, so he started working as an Army Wounded Warrior Advocate, helping the Army assist Wounded Warriors returning to the Cleveland area. In addition to being an advocate, Frank also founded Wags 4 Warriors with his wife Jeniffer.
“The ultimate mission for Wags 4 Warriors is to unite rescued dogs with disabled combat veterans and train them to be their service dog,” said DeLorenzo, “and this is all done at no cost to the veteran. We started Wags 4 Warriors because we wanted to help returning vets that have gone through some of the injuries and issues that we have faced. It is important to not just the warrior, but also the families. My wife struggled through my PTSD with me. It affects the families almost as much as the warrior.”
The new home for Frank and his family, including Jeniffer, five children and his service dog, gives them a place to grow that is close to family and the area that they are currently living.