Photo By Tech. Sgt. Roberto Bilbao | Senior Master Sgt. Ronny Bustos, 150th Maintenance Group, and Vietnam veteran Floyd...... read more read more
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Saturday, Oct. 18, marked the end of a four month nightmare for Vietnam veteran Floyd Molina and his daughter after their mobile home was ravaged by a fire that completely destroyed it June 3.
The New Mexico Air National Guard became aware of his plight when Senior Master Sgt. Ron Bustos came to the 150th Maintenance Group Top 3 for support to turn this desolate family's lives around.
Bustos, who owns Bustos Custom Homes and Development, became aware of Molina’s situation through an organization called ‘What would U Give.org/ Heroes Walk Among Us.’
The organization made arrangements to have the burnt ruble of what used to be the Molina home excavated and removed in accordance with local ordinances which would have been a huge financial burden for the family.
With the clean up completed, the project turned to finding Molina a new home.
Bustos went out and found a sound, refurbish-able home for the Molinas and put up the $6,000 payment and began an intensive two and a half week renovation that included a full gut and replacement of walls, windows, fixtures, kitchen and bathroom.
The renovation made the mobile home like a brand new home with an additional price tag of about $7,500 and all at no cost to the veteran.
The Floor Store at the Carpet Company donated about $1,300 of carpet and vinyl and Mevo Carpet donated skilled carpet professionals to lay the new furnishings.
Besides the generous donation Bustos made of his time and expertise, the 150th Maintenance Group Top 3 raised $1,000 to go towards the renovation and Bustos said whatever they raised he would match. Even with the Heroes Walk Among us donations, the 150th Maintainers and Bustos' personal donations, the group is still lacking almost $2,900 to pay for items and services related to the renovation.
Everyone that was involved with the project had one goal; that when they handed Molina the keys to his new home it would be free and clear and that is exactly what happened. On Saturday, those keys, along with a ‘paid-in-full’ deed, were presented to Molina with no strings attached; just well wishes.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do. I thought I was just going to be homeless,” Molina said. “Thanks to them, and all of the people that were involved; I have a home so I’m very happy.”
| Date Taken: | 10.18.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.28.2014 11:10 |
| Story ID: | 146309 |
| Location: | ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Vietnam veteran receives new home to replace one lost to tragic fire, by TSgt Katherine Mullins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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