MILROY – A local wounded warrior will be honored this weekend for his sacrifice and service to the country.
Home for Our Troops, a non-profit organization builds specially adapted homes for disabled veterans.
Along with local supporters, the nationwide group will break ground on a new handicapped accessible home in Milroy on Saturday.
Army SPC Jacob Lyerla, of Milroy, was severely injured on September 21, 2009 when he was thrown from the turret of his vehicle during an enemy attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
While driving past a bus station and following up on suspicious activity, members of the 4th Engineers unit were hit by an improvised explosive device (IED).
The subsequent blast ejected SPC Lyerla, causing multiple injuries to his right leg and rendering him a paraplegic upon impact.
SPC Lyerla was just 19 at the time of his injury and on his first deployment.
Now medically retired, Lyerla calls the prospective home another step in his recovery.
“This is going to push me to the next level of being independent. Maybe I will find a job or go to college, or just find something to help me keep on-keeping on,” Lyerla said.
The mortgage-free home will provide the veteran with an opportunity to live in his own specially designed home modified to fit his needs.
Community members are invited to attend the official groundbreaking ceremony at 800 West State Road 244 in Milroy at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Organizers say it’s a chance to learn how you, your family, your company and friends can support Lyerla, and this project throughout construction.
For those interesting in attending the ceremony RSVP here >>
PG Gentrup, of Rising Sun, helped with the Homes for our Troops project for wounded Lawrenceburg soldier Brett Bondurant earlier this year.
“Jacob Lyerla, and Brett Bondurant, these are true American heroes. They came really close to losing their lives on the battlefields in Iraq and Afganistan,” Gentrup commented.
“We need to remember that and help keep take care of them. Let’s show this young man, who was badly injured at age 19, that the people of Indiana support him.”
