Photo By Tech. Sgt. Mercedes Crossland | Members of the 512th Civil Engineering Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Del.,...... read more read more
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Reservists from the 512th Civil Engineer Squadron showed up June 6, 2015, in downtown Dover with work gloves, tool belts, hammers and nails to help build a home for a lesbian, bi-racial couple with three children.
With hopes and dreams of a promising future, Natalie and Latiesha Puzzo, submitted an application for a house through Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, an organization which provides housing solutions for families. The process includes attending required workshops in areas such as finances, home ownership and sweat equity. Once the Puzzos were approved to receive a home, the next step was building it.
Thirteen reserve civil engineers participated in the Blitz Project on Kirkwood St., where the mission was to have two of five homes being built there, finished in a month. The Citizen Airmen constructed floors, installed dry wall, cut wood and measured doors as part of their skills training during a unit training assembly.
"The military coming out and helping build our house is amazing," said Natalie. "The support, hard work, and dedication shows what they stand for. They are great to talk with, sharing their stories and us sharing ours, as we build our home. We hope they know how much we appreciate them."
Staff Sgt. John Nelson, a 512th CES member and the volunteer coordinator for the reservists on site, said the Habitat for Humanity event was an immense success.
"The Habitat for Humanity crew was very pleased with our personnel and our work," he said. "They even invited us to participate again in the near future with other projects they still have on the calendar."
Known for barking orders to get the job done, Paul Fitzwater, the Blitz project site manager, said it was a pleasure to have the military members working on site.
"These guys are awesome. I wish that there was more for me to have them do. The military comes out, gets so much done and has fun. These guys rock."
Reservists assisted with building two of the homes on a lot, where houses will provide a safe environment for the new residents, according to the CDHFH website. The nonprofit agency has built over 300 homes in Kent County alone.
And now, its Blitz building program, affords reservists the opportunity to hone their skills through various labor projects that help the community.
"We love that diversity can help better the community," said Latiesha. "We're looking forward to living here and enjoying our new home." said Latiesha.
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2015 16:17 |
| Story ID: | 167020 |
| Location: | DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, DE, US |
| Hometown: | DOVER, DE, US |
| Web Views: | 36 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Reservists lend a helping hammer, foster diversity, by TSgt Mercedes Crossland, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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