Tunnel to Towers Foundation Delivers 35 Mortgage-Free Homes to America’s Heroes in Tribute to Independence Day
2024年7月2日 - 11:05PM
As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, the
Tunnel to Towers Foundation is honoring the spirit
of freedom by bestowing the financial freedom of a mortgage-free
home upon 35 deserving families.
Tunnel to Towers fulfilled the mortgage or provided a
mortgage-free home to 34 fallen first responder families in 18
states and welcomed injured Mississippi Army National Guard
Sergeant James “Carl” Sampson and his family to their new
mortgage-free smart home in Picayune, Mississippi.
SGT Sampson enlisted in the Marines in 1987 after graduating
high school. He dedicated four years to the USMC before joining the
Mississippi Army National Guard.
In 2003, SGT Sampson was retired from the Guard, working as a
NASA Crane operator. When his cousin, Rodney, whom he had always
served with, told him his old Battalion was set to deploy as part
of America’s response to the 9/11 attacks, SGT Sampson re-enlisted
with the Mississippi Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq with
his cousin and the 890th Engineering Battalion.
On September 12, 2003, SGT Sampson’s truck was hit by a buried
missile set off by a cell phone. He lost his left eye and suffered
a traumatic brain injury and multiple broken bones.
As part of his recovery, he had a left craniofacial
reconstruction and continues to deal with seizures and other
medical complications to this day.
The Tunnel to Towers Smart Home Program builds
specially adapted smart homes to help our most catastrophically
injured veterans and first responders live more independently.
For SGT Sampson and his wife, Kelly, his new smart home
shows that his service has not been forgotten.
“When I met Carl, he had his awards in a box marked junk. He
thought nobody cared. Today, seeing all of you here…shows that
people do care,” said Kelly. She thanked Tunnel to Towers, saying,
“The Foundation is phenomenal, the people are phenomenal, they help
so many.”
On December 12, 2022, FDNY Firefighter William
Moon II fell twenty feet inside his Brooklyn firehouse
during a routine drill. He passed away on December 20, 2022, after
a final life-saving act of donating his organs. He left behind his
wife, Kristina, and two children.
Moon was a 21-year veteran of the FDNY and worked as a member of
the fire department's elite special operations rescue company.
Along with working for the FDNY, Moon volunteered in his hometown
with the Islip Volunteer Fire Department.
Tunnel to Towers paid off the mortgage on his family's Long
Island home.
William's wife, Kristina Moon expressed
profound gratitude, stating, "I have always known the miracles
Tunnel to the Towers has created for others. While I never
imagined I would be in this position, I am so grateful for the
relief they have given our family during our darkest hours…My
children and I will certainly pay it forward and carry on Billy's
legacy”.
The Tunnel to Towers Fallen First Responder Home
Program pays off the mortgages for the families of law
enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of
duty, pass away from 9/11-related illnesses, and leave behind young
children.
For more on the heroes honored with mortgage-free homes this
July 4th holiday, go to T2T.org. You can join us on our mission to
provide homes to our nation’s heroes and the families they leave
behind by donating $11 per month.
About the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
carries out its mission to “do good,” by providing mortgage-free
homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young
children and by building specially adapted smart homes for
catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Tunnel to
Towers is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and
helping America Never Forget September 11, 2001.
Visit T2T.org to learn more and follow Tunnel to Towers on
Facebook, X, and Instagram.
- Smart Home Dedication for Mississippi Army National Guard
Sergeant James “Carl” Sampson
- FDNY Firefighter William Moon II
Trevor Tamsen
Tunnel To Towers Foundation
718-987-1931
Trevor.Tamsen@T2T.org