New Home For Vet – An Army veteran and his family received the gift of a mortgage-free home here in Maricopa. On a sunny Wednesday morning, onlookers lined up along the sidewalks near a Santa Rosa Crossings home. One of the recipients called it a “piece of the American dream” he fought bravely to protect.

And those recipients are our new neighbors – former Army Sgt. William McCoy, his wife Linda and son Solomon, along with their two dogs Bleu and Morty. They all arrived via motorcycle escort (VROOM VROOM!) and were then met with almost a parade of their new neighbors, waving American flags and cheering loudly.

The family received the keys to their new mortgage-free home donated by PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program, partnered with Building Homes for Heroes.

“Your humble strength, your calm bravery, your selfless service and your perseverance is absolutely inspiring,” said Rebecca Lundberg, president of PulteGroup’s Arizona Division. “Our company’s purpose is building incredible places where people can live their dreams and we very much hope that today is a dream fulfilled and that it is full of many more dreams to come for you and your beautiful family down the road.”

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New Home For Vet

McCoy joined the Army Infantry out of Inglewood, California, in 1999. He served for nine years, two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan, before retiring medically in 2009. It had always been a tradition in his family to serve. Members of his family have served for generations.

He said his mom tried to bribe him to stay home with a car, but he left and served, came back and got a home, so it “all worked out.”

“It’s been a wonderful process of going through this with Building Homes for Heroes and Pulte and all my friends that were involved and everybody that helped,” McCoy said.

In May, McCoy and his family learned they would be receiving their home and participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.

“Over the last seven months, we’ve gotten to know this incredible family,” said Lundberg. “We’ve poured a ton of time, energy and love into its build.”

Cody Brannon, construction and events manager for Building Homes for Heroes, said those who serve in the military leave the comfort of their homes along with their family and friends to risk their lives and preserve America’s way of life.

When they return from war with their injuries, they question “what’s next.”

“They deserve to be able to come home, to have a home and a place to feel at peace, to feel safe and recover from their service,” he said.

Brannon said Building Homes for Heroes proudly says it gifts one home every 11 days to families who don’t have to wonder “what’s next.” McCoy’s home became their 311th mortgage-free home.

He said 95 cents on every dollar donated goes directly to veterans and their families with less than 5 cents left to help the organization operate.

Their relationship with PulteGroup started in 2019 and together they’ve built 10 mortgage-free homes across the country.

“I look forward to every Pulte home more than any other home, because you can tell the love and the effort that goes into these projects,” Brannon said. “As you walk around the home today, you can see how the Pulte team gets to know the family and design the home to fit every specific need they have.”

After the ceremony, the media were invited inside to watch the family tour their completed home for the first time. McCoy’s family and friends were welcomed inside later to tour the home and offer their congratulations.

It’s a single-family with 1,915 square feet including four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

McCoy suffers from multiple injuries including back, knee and a traumatic brain injury along with tinnitus, post-traumatic stress disorder and hearing loss.

He received many awards and recognition for his service. For instance, the Army Commendation Medal with V Device, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Achievement Medal, among others.

Lets all welcome Sergeant McCoy and in his family to our friendly town of Maricopa. Leave greeting below and any other helpful links for our new neighbor.