U.S. Army Veteran and Family Surprised with News They are Re

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U.S. Army Veteran and Family Surprised with News They are Receiving a Mortgage-Free Home During Craig Morgan Concert
Nov. 19 at Wagon Wheel Theatre

Operation FINALLY HOME, R.W. Kidd, and the Builders Association of Kosciusko Fulton Counties Partner to build home for Warsaw native and family

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Warsaw native U.S. Army SSG Justin Raymer and his family thought they were simply attending Craig Morgan’s “American Stories” concert Nov. 19 at the Wagon Wheel Theatre, but they were in store for the surprise of their lives.

Raymer’s father, Mike, the assistant Fire Chief for the Winona Lake Fire Department told Justin that Morgan was looking for veterans to attend the concert. When Morgan, an Army veteran himself, finished his third song of the night, he invited Justin and Kaci to the stage where they were surprised with the news that they were receiving a mortgage-free home.

“I have been gone for 15 years,” Raymer said. “It means a lot to finally come home and bring our entire family together.”

Operation FINALLY HOME, R.W. Kidd and the Builders and the Builders Association of Kosciusko Fulton Counties have teamed to build the home for the Raymer family.

“We are so grateful for this unique opportunity to honor and give back to U.S. Army SSG Raymer and his family and we look forward to welcoming them home next September,” said Trisha Steger, Executive Officer, Builders Association of Kosciusko Fulton Counties.

Operation FINALLY HOME Executive Director Rusty Carroll added, “We are so honored to partner with R.W. Kidd and the Builders Association of Kosciusko Fulton Counties to bring Justin and his family ‘home’ to Warsaw. “Justin and Kaci want to raise their children near family and we are blessed to be able to make that dream come true for this deserving veteran.”

To make a 100 percent donation to the Justin Raymer project, text “WARSAW” TO 41444. And, if you would like to donate materials or if you are an experienced labor volunteer, please contact the Builders Association of Kosciusko and Fulton Counties at [phone]

About U.S. Army SSG Justin Raymer:
U.S. Army SSG Justin Raymer served for more than 13 years, including four years with the Warsaw Army National Guard and nine years with the U.S. Army, between 2001 and 2015. Justin was deployed to Iraq three times and was involved in several attacks including a Scud with two Patriot missiles attack, an IED blast that rolled his truck and a friendly fire incident. Due to the multiple attacks, Justin sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in addition to other injuries to multiple joints.

As a result of his honorable service, Justin has received several military awards, medals and commendations including the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, multiple Army Commendation Medals and Army Achievement Medals and many more.

While home between deployments, Justin met and married his wife, Kaci. They currently live in Georgia with their son and three daughters. While being “softball and baseball parents” keep them busy, Justin and Kaci have a desire and need to be closer to family in Warsaw, Ind., where Justin was born.

Justin’s dad is the Assistant Fire Chief for the Winona Lake Fire Department (Lake Winona is a city very near Warsaw) so they want to get back to the Warsaw area to raise their children. And thanks to RW Kidd, the Builders Association of Kosciusko and Fulton Counties and Operation FINALLY HOME, they’ll be able to do just that in 2017!

About Operation FINALLY HOME
Operation FINALLY HOME was established in 2005 as a nonpartisan/nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The mission of Operation FINALLY HOME is to provide custom-built, mortgage-free homes to America’s military heroes and the widows of the fallen who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedom and values. Operation FINALLY HOME partners with corporate sponsors, builder associations, builders, developers, individual contributors, and volunteers to help America’s military heroes and their families transition to the home front by addressing one of their most pressing needs—a home to call their own. To find out more, visit OperationFinallyHome.org.

About R.W. Kidd Construction:
John Kidd named his construction company, R.W. Kidd Construction, in gratitude and recognition of his father, Robert Wilson Kidd. The business was founded in 1995 in Las Vegas and in 2005, John returned to northern Indiana with his family. R.W. Kidd Construction is currently based in Warsaw, but operates throughout northern Indiana. We build residential and commercial products with a concentration on energy efficiency.

About Builders Association of Kosciusko and Fulton Counties:
The Builders Association of Kosciusko and Fulton Counties (Indiana) was formed in 1978 in order to support the local building industry. The association currently consists of 33 residential and/or commercial builders and 88 associate members within the building products and service industries.

We believe that American homes should be well designed, well-constructed and well located in attractive communities with educational, recreational, religious and shopping facilities accessible to all. American homes should be built under the free American enterprise system.

The Builders Association of Kosciusko and Fulton Counties is facilitating the marketing and communication aspects of the Operation FINALLY HOME project in Warsaw, Indiana. Several of their members are key partners in the task force to help honor this hero with a home.

About Craig Morgan:
A multi-faceted entertainer, Craig Morgan has made a name for himself as a country music icon, TV host, celebrated outdoorsman and patriotic Army veteran. One of country music's best-loved artists, the Black River Entertainment artist thrills massive crowds with signature hits, including “Bonfire,” Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “International Harvester,” “This Ole Boy,” Wake Up Loving You” and the six week #1, “That's What I Love About Sunday.” Morgan’s new album, A Whole Lot More To Me, featuring singles “I’ll Be Home Soon” and “When I’m Gone,” was released June 3 by Black River Entertainment.

Craig received one of country music's highest honors when he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008. In addition to a prolific country music career, he hosts the award-winning TV show “Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors,” now in its seventh season on Outdoor Channel. Prior to becoming a country music star and TV sensation, Morgan spent seventeen years serving our country in the Army and Army Reserves. He is an avid supporter of America's military personnel and a recipient of the 2006 USO Merit Award.

For more information on Craig Morgan, visit www.craigmorgan.com and engage with him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Photo Courtesy of Gary Nieter, Warsaw Times Union