Iraq Veteran Adrian Garcia Is Given A House

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EL PASO, Texas — Three years after losing his legs in a grenade attack in Iraq, El Paso veteran Adrian Garcia has been granted the gift of a new home.

The veterans organization Homes For Our Troops is in the process of purchasing land for a wheelchair accessible home for Garcia.

"It's been three years since my injuries and I'm back home," said Garcia who lives with his parents. "This house is very old, it was made for able bodied people, so coming here, it’s very cramped."

Garcia said that he is incredibly excited and thankful that he is being given a home.

"It was surreal, and I still haven't got a hold on it yet, but I'm looking forward to it," Garcia said. "My hands hurt all the time because I'm always nicking them against the the walls. They are not wide enough."

"We build specially adapted single family homes for severely injured veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan," said Tom Benoit, vice president of Homes For Our Troops. "Once we secure the land and we have a permit, usually the home is done within nine months tops. We try to get it less than that."

Homes For Our Troops will purchase the land for Garcia but is seeking general contractors and other home builders to donate their time and materials. To donate, go to www.homesforourtroops.org.