Iraq veteran honored with new home

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Nearly 200 volunteers came out on a Saturday in March to take part in the kickoff of a complete home makeover for wounded Iraq War veteran Army Staff Sergeant William Castillo on Enclave Drive in Orlando.   Less than six months later, Castillo and his family were able to get a first glimpse of their new home.

The project was made possible, in part, by Building Homes for Heroes , which provides individuals, corporations and others with an opportunity to help our severely wounded and disabled veterans and their families rebuild their lives.

Called upon to save wounded Marines, Staff Sergeant Castillo, who is a Purple Heart recipient, withstood five bullet wounds ’ including one that struck his head and one that exited through his mouth ’ after an IED exploded under his Humvee in Iraq. Still struggling to get back to the burning truck to help members of his unit, a missile cut through the vehicle ’ and severed his left leg. He was the lone survivor of the attack. While helping others, he survived two explosions and five bullet wounds.

Now, the Orange County community has returned a thank you to William, his wife Katherine and their four children.

Major sponsors of the initiative The Just in Queso Foundation, the non-profit arm of Tijuana Flats. Just in Queso presented a check for over $46,000 to support the effort to convert the house into the Castillo family home. The renovation is expected to take six weeks.

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On the web:

http://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/home.htm