Wake Forest veterans help Oxford couple rebuild

Ricky McWilliams and his wife, Pam, lost everything after a tornado barreled through their Oxford home in February.

Posted 2:24 a.m. Apr 15, 2016 — Updated 3:39 a.m. Apr 15, 2016

WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — Ricky McWilliams and his wife, Pam, lost everything after a tornado barreled through their Oxford home in February.

Four veterans groups in Wake Forest, including veterans at the American Legion Post 187, collected more than $2,000 to help the McWilliams’s rebuild their home. The Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Marine Corp League and Wake Forest Memorial Post 8466, also donated to the cause.

Ricky McWilliams is a disabled veteran and hearing impaired.

“I had heard that the military stick together, but I had no idea just how much they stick together and take care of each other until this,” Pam McWilliams said.

On Thursday, the McWilliams’ shared their appreciation for all the help they’ve received over the last few months at the American Legion Post 187 in Wake Forest.

The Ladies of Valor also presented the couple with a hand-made quilt Thursday afternoon.

“It gives me great pleasure giving the quilts to veterans, to see the expressions on their faces,” said Martha Killian, of the Ladies of Valor.

The storm reduced the McWilliams’ home to rubble; only the foundation remained intact following the storms.

“All of this was love and compassion for a fellow military veteran, and it just blows my mind,” Pat McWilliams said.

The McWilliams’ will demolish what’s left of their home this weekend and start rebuilding a new house, which is estimated to be completed in three to four months.

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