Home for wounded veteran takes shape

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - On Friday, August 24, Homes for Our Troops will begin construction on a new home for a local hero.

In December 2010, Cpl. Christopher Montgomery was on his third deployment in Afghanistan, when he stepped on a roadside bomb.

The Mobile native lost his hand and both of his legs.

Now, Homes for Our Troops is providing him with a new house completely free of charge.

It's bought and built thanks to donors and volunteers.

Lynn Nolen, one of the volunteers, said his business has been rebuilding itself over the past couple of years. He said the recession was not very kind to him.

"That’s why (I have) gray hair,” he said. “I wasn’t this gray hair two years ago!"

Work has been steadily growing, and now he's working on his latest project. A project he took on for free.

Nolen said, "Didn't even think twice, no hesitation."

So why would he give up so much for a perfect stranger?

Because he said that stranger, Cpl. Montgomery, had already given so much to him.

Construction will be swift. The builders said the roof will be up by the end of the weekend, and Cpl. Montgomery can move in within two months.

The four bedroom- two bath home will be handicap-accessible.

Nolen may not be receiving a check for this, but he said he's getting something better: the satisfaction of knowing that he helped a hero.

"I’d do it ten times again,” said Nolen.

The home is located in the Hamilton Oaks subdivision off Jeff Hamilton Road.

The wall-raising ceremony will be held Friday morning at 8:30.

Cpl. Montgomery will be there, and he's being escorted to the home by the Patriot Guard.

Volunteers will be needed for the construction project.