Photos courtesy of Homes for Our Troops & Steve Overgard

Virginia REALTORS^® President Claire Forcier-Rowe delivered remarks at a very special ceremony on Saturday, August 12. A cheering crowd lined the streets around a newly constructed home in Mechanicsville, many of them proudly waving American flags. Forcier-Rowe was taking part in a Key Ceremony with Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit dedicated to providing severely wounded veterans with specially adapted, fully accessible homes.

Saturday’s ceremony honored Army Sergeant (Retired) James “JP” McGuire and his family. McGuire lost his right leg after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Tunnis, Iraq. He was serving as a combat engineer with the 3^rd Battalion, 7^th Infantry Regiment, 3^rd Infantry Division. McGuire’s grueling recovery included over 30 surgeries.

Now, McGuire, his wife Brittney, and their two young children will have a safe, mortgage free home, which McGuire calls “a gift from God.” Despite his unquestionable heroism, McGuire insists, “The HFOT organization, donors, supporters, and volunteers are the real heroes. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all that you do, not just for me but also for all of my comrades.”

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