Local Marine, family breaks ground on new home
Berl Tiskus
Dirt flies as the ground is broken for local veteran Tomy Parker’s new home. From left are: Larry Gill, Homes for Our Troops staffer; Tomy Parker and fiance Amanda Hout; Hout’s daughter Olivia; Parker’s uncle Rick Jennison; Hout’s daughter Eva; Neal Frustaglio, retired Marine and fellow Homes for Our Troops recipient; and Bill Barron, Lake County Commissioner.
Berl Tiskus
Berl Tiskus
Using a “shovel” more her size and a cup, Olivia has her own groundbreaking.
Berl Tiskus
Berl Tiskus
Berl Tiskus/Valley Journal Homes for Our Troops staffers face the flag as the colors are presented.
Berl Tiskus
Berl Tiskus
Berl Tiskus
Berl Tiskus
Berl Tiskus
Berl Tiskus
Johnie Parker, Tomy’s sister, paints shovels for the official groundbreaking of Tomy’s new house. She took up painting after Tomy was wounded to keep herself busy.
Berl Tiskus
Berl Tiskus/Valley Journal Homes for Our Troops staffers face the flag as the colors are presented.
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With lights flashing and sirens blaring, a long line of first responders escorted Marine Lance Corporal Tomy Parker (retired), his fiancé Amanda Hout and children Olivia and Eva to the groundbreaking of Parker’s new home Saturday, Nov. 23. The lot is located on Madison Road off Flathead View Drive, Polson.
Parker, who lost both his legs in an IED blast in Sangin, Afghanistan, on Dec. 10, 2011, is getting the specially-adapted home built through the Homes for Our Troops New House Program.
The program provides newly constructed, specially adapted homes designed for maximum freedom and movement and the ability to live more independently at no cost to the veterans, according to the website at www.hfotusa.org/homes.
Homes for Our Troops has completed 146 homes and has 31 homes in progress. Corporate sponsors, local volunteers and donations pay for the homes. An eligible veteran or service member may also be eligible for a $64,960 Veterans Administration Specially Adapted Housing Grant. Homes for Our Troops assistance covers all costs over and above this grant to ensure that the home is provided at no cost to the recipient.
Marine Corporal Neal Frustaglio (retired) from New Braunfels, Texas, lost both legs and was burned over 25 percent of his body at Ar Ramadi, Iraq, in December 2005.
With praise and thankfulness for Homes for Our Troops, Frustaglio was on hand at Parker’s groundbreaking to talk about some of the frustrations of living in a regular house.
Despite his good attitude and Marine stubborness, Frustaglio said, “My daily life was a struggle. Things like getting stuff out of cabinets and getting into the bathroom were tough.”
Compounding that were icy Wisconsin winters that made getting around an issue, and a three-year-old child who knew dad couldn’t capture him if he climbed under the kitchen table.
So the family moved to San Antonio, and they applied to Homes for Our Troops.
“That was the start of a life changing event,” Frustaglio said. “Four months later we had a new house near New Braunfels.”
Now he can use the oven safely, do laundry — which his wife loves — and give his boys a bath. Just everyday things, but such a big deal for vets, according to Frustaglio.
Parker understands the scenario.
“It will be nice so Amanda’s not biting her nails, and my mom is not crying because she’s afraid my wheelchair tipped over,” Parker said.
Amanda Twigg, community outreach coordinator for Homes For Our Troops, orchestrated the event.
Tents with heaters sheltered the audience on a sunny but brisk 23-degree morning.
Outside, Parker, Hout and dignitaries “broke some ground” with shovels beautifully painted by Parker’s sister Johnie.
Parker complimented the escort, telling the first responders they do something he couldn’t.
In small communities, like Polson and Ronan, policemen, deputies and firefighters often know the people involved when they are called to a crash or a fire, making their job even more difficult.
Parker was humble when he spoke.
“I’m a normal person who stepped in the wrong place,” he said.
To donate money or learn more about Homes for Our Troops, go to www.hfotusa.org.
