Group builds Harnett home for wounded Marine
Marine Sgt. Carlos Evans lost both of his legs and his left hand when he stepped on a bomb last year while patrolling in Afghanistan.
Posted — UpdatedOn Friday, Evans and his family came home to a house designed by a group that builds residences for wounded veterans.
"I'm very overwhelmed by all the people who got together to build the house," he said. "It makes me not lose hope. There's a lot of good people out there who care and want to help. It just encourages me and my family to do the same thing for other people."
The house was built specifically for Evans, with wide hallways and doorways to accommodate his wheelchair and a lift to carry him up and down the stairs.
Evans, 32, said the home will allow his two daughters, 5-year-old Nairoby and 2-year-old Genesis, to see him do things around the house on his own.
"My daughters can see Daddy being Daddy, Daddy being strong, Daddy being independent," he said.
Evans, wife Rosemary and the two girls were driven to the Spout Springs home in a limousine and were greeted by a band on the front lawn. A crowd of contractors and veterans, including Corpsman Brian Prendingue, who helped save Evans' life at a field hospital, greeted the family with cheers.
"I got the chance to be born again, and I don't regret it," a tearful Evans, who previously served three tours of duty in Iraq, told the crowd. "I got more legs and more hands than ever."
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