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Community welcomes war hero to new home Army Staff Sgt. Paul "Russ" Marek received a hero's welcome in front of his new home Saturday. Community welcomes war hero to new home VIERA -- Army Staff Sgt. Paul "Russ" Marek received a hero's welcome in front of his new home Saturday. "It's a little overwhelming, but it's nice," said Marek, as he smiled and took it all in. About 100 people gathered Saturday at the new house on Croghan Drive in Capron Ridge to celebrate. It was built with community support by Homes for Our Troops, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that builds and adapts homes for severely wounded military personnel. Friends, family, veterans and the volunteers who helped make it happen applauded as music played, and Marek, who uses a wheelchair, was taken inside. Marek was serving in Iraq with the Army's 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, when he was critically wounded Sept. 16, 2005, in a roadside bombing. Three crew members died in the explosion. Marek lost his right leg, right arm, right ear and left thumb. He suffered a brain injury and burns over 20 percent of his body. Marek spent months of recovery in military and veteran hospitals. Next week, he will move from his parents' Satellite Beach home into his new home, which was adapted to address the day-to-day challenges he will face and provide him with independence. Marek's new 2,200-square-foot home was built by Holiday Builders. It has three bedrooms and automatic doors, an accessible shower, grab bars and a specially made cabinet with shelves that automatically lower. At Saturday's celebration, Marek was accompanied by family members, including his parents and brothers. Marek's brother, Todd Marek, was emotional. "We've been waiting for this day. It's awesome," he said. Family members will take turns in shifts helping Marek until he gets acclimated to his surroundings, Todd Marek said. "This is really something," said Brian Bodi, a father of three girls who lives in the neighborhood. Bodi brought his girls to the celebration. "We wanted to be down here to support. We're very proud of all our veterans, and I wish we could do more of this stuff." Marek's home, built at no cost to him, is the first Homes for Our Troops project in Brevard.
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