FRESNO,
Calif., July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennar, one
of the nation's leading homebuilders, joined today with the
nonprofits Operation Finally Home and Beyond The Barracks to
honor U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Nathan "Nate" Tomshack with a
mortgage-free home personalized to accommodate his battlefield
injuries. The groundbreaking ceremony was held to surprise the
decorated veteran and his family with the brand-new home in
Lennar's Sterling Acres community.
"On behalf of Lennar and our business partners, it is an honor
to build a new home for Sgt. Tomshack, a brave hero who has
sacrificed so much in service of our country," said Lennar's
Central Valley Division President Mike Miller. "Equally admirable to his
military service is his continued commitment to support his country
and his fellow veterans as a civilian. Supporting the Tomshack
family is also a wonderful investment for the Sterling Acres
community."
During his six years of service, Sgt. Tomshack served three
combat deployments in Iraq,
Afghanistan and Africa and was honorably discharged in 2014.
While serving overseas, he was subject to several attacks involving
an improvised explosive device (IED) and a denoted rocket-propelled
grenade (RPG). As a result, SGT Tomshack suffers from significant
back and knee injuries and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and
vertigo.
Sgt. Tomshack expressed his heartfelt thanks: "Thank you for
this life changing opportunity."
The single-level, 2,085-square-foot home, Lennar's popular
Bolero floorplan, will include features and options specifically
designed to meet Sgt. Tomshack's needs. This includes an
Owner's suite bathroom modified to accommodate a soaking tub.
This is Lennar's 19th home built in partnership with
Operation Finally Home. The company plans to build additional
homes in the future. Lennar anticipates the home to be completed
spring 2025.
"At Operation Finally Home, our mission is to provide or improve
homes for America's veterans and first responders," said
Rusty Carroll, Operation Finally
Home President. "Nate and his family have sacrificed so much to
defend our freedom, and it is an honor to partner with Lennar and
help provide him and his family with a custom-built, mortgage-free
home in Fresno."
The ceremony commenced with the Presentation of Colors by The
Civil Air Patrol Squadron112, Cadet Honor Guard, followed
by the Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scouts, Clovis Troop
354. The National Anthem was performed by Gregor Ross and Jason
Gill and the Invocation by Captain Richard Parr, Chaplain and Commander of Cadets.
Kelli Furtado, City of Fresno Chief of Staff, presented a
proclamation by the City of
Fresno. Remarks were made by:
- Tyler Maxwell, City of Fresno
Councilmember
- Mike Miller, Lennar Division
President
- Brandi Asacker, Beyond the
Barracks Founder
- SSG Nate Tomshack, recipient and combat Veteran
Brandi Asaker, Founder of Beyond the Barracks expressed
gratitude for being part of the journey: "Thank you to the
Operation Finally Home, Lennar and the community for allowing
Beyond the Barracks to be part of this amazing opportunity."
About U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Nathan "Nate"
Tomshack
Sgt. Tomshack comes from a long line of military
veterans. He enlisted in the Army at 19, following in the footsteps
of both of his grandfathers as well as his father.
In 2010, while serving in Iraq,
Sgt. Tomshack was involved in an improvised explosive device (IED)
attack that caused the vehicle he was in to roll over. This
resulted in significant back injuries and lasting discomfort.
Later, while serving in Afghanistan, Sgt. Tomshack suffered an
extensive injury to his knee when a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG)
detonated near him.
These incidents and others left Sgt. with chronic knee pain and
instability; he underwent surgery on his vertebrae in 2022 due to
continued discomfort from his back injuries. In addition, Sgt.
Tomshack has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and vertigo. He suffers from
post-traumatic headaches, tinnitus and arthritis.
Sgt. Tomshack has been recognized with several awards and
recognitions for his service. These include the Combat Action
Badge, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, two Army
Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals the Meritorious
Unit Commendation, Valorous Unit Award, NATO Medal two Overseas
Service Ribbons and many more.
Sgt. Tomshack met his wife, Esme, at a park in 2020, where
their children—Esme's son and daughter and Nate's daughter—were
playing together. The couple married in 2023 and currently live in
Clovis, California. Sgt. Tomshack
earned a bachelor's degree at California State
University Fresno and is currently working on a master's
degree in therapy while volunteering at the Fresno Vet Center. He
hopes to become a dedicated therapist who helps veterans heal when
they return to civilian life. Esme is currently completing her
bachelor's degree in political science and hopes to pursue a
master's in public policy or business.
When the couple are not pursuing their education, the family
enjoys camping and hiking together. All the children participate in
sports, which the parents enjoy watching.
About Lennar Corporation
Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading
builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds
affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the
Lennar brand name. Lennar's Financial Services segment provides
mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers
of Lennar's homes and, through LMF Commercial, originates mortgage
loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties
throughout the United States. Lennar's Multifamily
segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily
rental properties. LENX drives Lennar's technology,
innovation and strategic investments. For more information about
Lennar, please visit www.lennar.com.
About Operation Finally Home
Based in New Braunfels, Texas,
Operation Finally Home is a nonpartisan/nonprofit 501(c)(3)
organization with a mission to provide personalized mortgage-free
homes, transitional housing and home modifications to veterans,
first responders and their families. Established in 2005, the
organization has completed or is in the planning stage on more than
480 home projects in 35-plus states, serving more than 1,000
people. Operation Finally Home partners with corporate sponsors,
builder associations, builders, remodelers, developers, individual
contributors and volunteers to help these heroes and their families
by addressing one of their most pressing needs –a safe place to
call home. For more information about Operation Finally Home, visit
OperationFinallyHome.org, follow @OpFinallyHome on Twitter and
find us on Facebook.
About Beyond The Barracks
Beyond The
Barracks is a Veteran 501 C3 nonprofit fostering camaraderie
and connectedness with a mission to honor and support Central
Valley veterans by providing essential services, fostering a sense
of community, and advocating for their well-being. Beyond The
Barracks is committed to ensuring that every veteran receives
the care, respect, and opportunities they deserve. For more
information about Beyond The Barracks, please
visit www.beyondthebarracks.org.
Contact: Danielle Tocco
Vice President
Communications
Lennar
Corporation
Danielle.Tocco@Lennar.com
Direct
Line: 949.789.1633
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SOURCE Lennar Corporation