In 2003, he came within 100 yards of losing his life to a vehicle explosion.
This wasn't a standard improvised explosive device (IED) -- it leveled an entire building.
As a result, Eric had a traumatic brain injury and other medical complications that put him in a wheelchair.
Eric's wife Caira has become his full time caretaker, like I did for Aaron 10 years ago.
Today, I hope you'll find it in your heart to bless this family with a custom-built, mortgage free home to call their own.
Because the Bensons didn't let their hardships let them lose sight of the bigger picture.
Their hardships have only made them that much more grateful to be alive, and drove them to devote their time and energy to serving their communities.
They've sacrificed so much for you and me.
And through Operation FINALLY HOME, you can thank them with a gift they'll never forget.
Dan Wallrath, founded Operation FINALLY HOME 15 years ago to provide severely wounded, ill, or injured veterans and widows of the fallen with the #1 most impactful "Thank You" they could ever receive from the American people…
...specially adapted, mortgage-free homes to call their own.
Dan saw the plight of our veterans who came home from Iraq and Afghanistan with brain injuries, without limbs, with severe burns, and much more.
Often these brave warriors can't dress themselves, get up and down stairs on their own, or remember simple tasks -- never mind secure a job that can pay the rent and put food on the table for their families.
That's why Operation FINALLY HOME builds these miracle homes to accommodate each veteran's specific injuries to make everyday tasks easier.
And that's why I hope you'll lend a helping hand to the Bensons today.
- If a veteran needs all the family bedrooms on the first floor so he or she can get to their toddler more quickly on their prosthetic legs – they give it to them.
- If a veteran who's lost his legs and arms – or both – needs a motorized lift to get in and out of the tub without the help of a spouse or parent – they do it.
- If a veteran needs a plain, dark room to retreat to when everyday sights and sounds trigger PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) episodes filled with the screams of their wounded platoon mates – they build it.
Whatever a veteran needs to live the rest of their lives as independently as possible, they provide it.
And they gift the home to the deserving family 100% mortgage-free so a severely wounded veteran never has to spend another anguished night worrying, "How will I ever take care of my family again?"
But Operation FINALLY HOME doesn't do this life-changing work alone.
#1. Dan's first step in providing a mortgage-free, specially adapted home for a severely wounded, ill, or injured veteran is to find a builder who's willing to donate his services free of charge.
#2. Then Dan turns to the local community for donations of the land and building materials.
#3. Then Dan finds a family to bless with this miracle.
#4. And the final step in building this miracle home involves you.
After finding patriots to donate the land and the bulk of the building materials, the Operation FINALLY HOME has to come up with $87,500 to finish building one home.
That certainly seems like a lot of money to me.
But Dan says he always knew that with God's help he'd be able to raise that $87,500 for each and every home. Why? Because Dan believed in the American people.
He knew if he could just find those patriots who wanted to help, they would respond like wildfire.
And that's why I'm writing to you today.
Dan and Operation FINALLY HOME have changed the lives of an amazing 225 wounded veterans and their families – including ours.
Will you help them build their next specially-adapted, mortgage-free home for Eric Benson and his family?
Your tax-deductible gift of $35, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or whatever amount you feel is right…
...will give U.S. Army First Lieutenant Eric Benson a home where they can navigate their wheelchair easily, reach kitchen counters to help with dinner…
...allows Eric and Caira to rest easier knowing that their family will always have a roof over their heads…
...and maybe most importantly, your tax-deductible gift to build this home, tells Eric, Caira and their five children loud and clear that you care about their sacrifice.
And that means everything to veterans.
Thank you for your time, and may God bless you.
Sincerely,
Brittany Zurn
