Wounded Sargent First Class Bacary Sambou will get a free home, thanks to the joint effort of Hannibal Square Community Land Trust Inc., Palm Harbor Homes and Fairways for Warriors. The house will be located on a lot at 663 Symonds Ave., donated by the city of Winter Park, FL in April.

At the Veterans Day event, Denise Weathers, executive director of the Hannibal Square Community Land Trust Inc. said, “Today we’re celebrating our veterans, and in particular we’re celebrating Sgt. First Class Bacary Sambou.”

The Winter Park Maitland Observer tells MHProNews that Sargent Sambou has been wheel chair bound since March 17, 2012. Donations raised from Fairways for Warriors will go toward making Sambou’s new home wheelchair accessible. Sambou suffered his injuries during a supply mission in Afghanistan. He’s had a spinal cord injury, a broken leg, two broken ribs, broken hand and a vertical cut on the right side of his face, splitting his eye. He also deals with a traumatic brain injury tod and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“Unfortunately in Central Florida, 25 percent of the homeless are veterans,” said Congressman John Mica to those attending the ceremony.

Sambou said, “This made me feel special; I didn’t expect to have this.” adding,“…I know the U.S. Army is the best army in the world, and I wanted to be one of the best, that’s why I joined. Right now, I feel like I’m one of the best.” The home will be presented in the first quarter of 2015. ##

(Photo credit: Winter Park Maitland Observer)