Home, sweet home for Iraq Vet
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
By: Adam Riglian

Five hundred well-wishers helped Army Sgt. Brian Fountaine celebrate the completion of his new home.

Five hundred well-wishers helped Army Sgt. Brian Fountaine celebrate the completion of his new home.

Now he’s enjoying the peace and quiet.

“It’s been excellent. It’s nice to have our own little place and get away from the world,” Fountaine said Sunday.

A celebration at the Boston Marriott Quincy on Saturday night marked the completion of five months of work by Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit group that builds homes for injured veterans. The deed for the home was handed over to Fountaine at the event.

Fountaine, a Hanson native, lost the lower part of both of his legs in Iraq.

He says the best part of his new home in Plymouth is that he and his fiancée, Mary Long, can finally be on their own.

John Gonsalves, president and founder of Homes For Our Troops, said the Saturday celebration was “the highlight of the year.”

Fountaine and Long will now finish decorating the home.

“We have a very similar taste, but we still have a lot of painting to do,” Fountaine said.

Adam Riglian may be reached at ariglian@ledger.com.