U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jose Sierra, Jr., and wife Maria, Surprised with Mortgage-Free Home During Special Groundbreaking Ceremony in San Antonio
Operation FINALLY HOME, Lennar and Southstar Communities partner to create unique home for a deserving American Hero
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (April 23, 2018) – Operation FINALLY HOME along with Lennar and Southstar Communities surprised U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jose Sierra, Jr., and his wife, Maria, this morning with the news that they are receiving a mortgage-free home in San Antonio. The surprise took place during a special groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future home in Mission Del Lago (947 Hagen Way, San Antonio, 78221). Joining the Sierra family were representatives from Operation FINALLY HOME, Lennar and Southstar Communities.
Jose and Maria thought they were just going through the preliminary interview process with Operation FINALLY HOME and the builder. But instead, they were escorted by the Patriot Guard riders and greeted at the site of their new home! Children from Julian C. Gallardo Elementary School were outside of their school waving American flags welcoming the Sierra family to their new neighborhood.
U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jose Sierra, Jr.
U.S. Army SFC Jose Sierra joined the Army a few years after graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in San Antonio, Texas. During his more than 21 years of service, he was part of four combat deployments including Bosnia (1996), Kuwait (1999), and then Iraq in 2003 and 2007.
Jose was injured during his combat tours in Iraq. While serving in his final deployment in 2007, his tank ran over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and was ejected from his seat and knocked unconscious. Because he was able to walk and talk after the explosion, Jose resumed his mission with another crew and tank. Once he returned to Fort Hood (Texas), he began to notice changes and realized he needed medical attention. Jose was diagnosed with PTSD and TBI in addition to suffering with neck, back and wrist pain.
Jose was presented with a number of honors for his service including a Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Badge, NATO Medal, plus many more.
Jose and his wife, Maria, went to high school together and married in 2012. They currently live in San Antonio and between them, they have six children and five grandchildren. Maria is Jose’s caregiver.
Jose spends time focusing on his hobbies, including woodwork projects or working on his ’58 Chevy truck.
Operation FINALLY HOME, Lennar Homes and Southstar Communities are proud to provide the Sierra family with a custom-built, mortgage-free home in the Mission Del Lago community in San Antonio, Texas.
About Operation FINALLY HOME | Based in New Braunfels, Texas, Operation FINALLY HOME was established in 2005 as a nonpartisan/nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The mission of Operation FINALLY HOME is to provide homes and home modifications to America’s military Heroes and the widows of the fallen who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms and values. Operation FINALLY HOME partners with corporate sponsors, builder associations, builders, remodelers, developers, individual contributors, and volunteers to help these Heroes and their families by addressing one of their most pressing needs – a place to call home. To find out more, visit OperationFinallyHome.org.
About Lennar | Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. The Company builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services for both buyers of the Company’s homes and others. Lennar’s Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about the Company may be obtained at the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website, www.lennar.com.
About SouthStar Communities | SouthStar creates and manages dynamic, healthy communities where people want to raise their families, spend their spare time, and welcome their friends as neighbors. Each SouthStar community is designed, developed and managed to be true to its site, its culture and to honor those who have chosen to call it home. The company acquires, invests in or services third party owners to create unique living experiences that stand out for their thoughtful details and exceptional quality of life. Founded in 1989, SouthStar has developed 30 communities spanning over 30,000 acres across the southern United States. For more information contact www.SouthStarCommunities.com
