Operation Homefront helps Iraq War veteran
Ignacio Cruz’s jaw dropped when he walked through the doorway of his new house Wednesday with his wife, son and daughter.
Though he said he was speechless, he managed to mouth: "Wow!"
Cruz, a 28-year-old medically retired Army staff sergeant, couldn’t believe that only a short time ago he was a financially challenged Iraq War veteran. Having suffered a traumatic brain injury and still carrying the invisible wounds of war, he thought he had little chance of owning a home, let alone obtaining a mortgage-free one as he transitions to civilian life.
But thanks to Operation Homefront, Chase Bank and his new North Las Vegas neighbors who pitched in to put a new coat of blue paint on a former bank-owned, two-story home on Spruce Oak Drive, the Cruz family will be able to experience the American dream come true.
"It’s beautiful. I’m lost for words," Cruz said as he wandered through the living room and out to the backyard’s poolside patio.
"It’s amazing. I could not be more blessed," he said. "This took a great, great burden off my shoulders. I’ve got goosebumps."
The nonprofit Operation Homefront has worked with JP Morgan Chase to place three Nevada veterans and their families in homes this year, one each in North Las Vegas, Sparks and Minden, said the organization’s housing caseworker, Amanda Shaunessy.
She said Operation Homefront plans to help 100 families of veterans and service members relocate into mortgage-free homes this year nationwide, including 50 families that already have been matched to homes and await keys.
Operation Homefront’s mission is to provide emergency financial help and other aid to service member families and wounded warriors such as Cruz.
In his case, the program allows him to rent-to-own the home by paying about $200 in homeowner association fees and property taxes per month. Then, after demonstrating he can carry that bill for two years, the deed is released to him free and clear.
"We make sure they can maintain financially when we’re not in the picture," Shaunessy said .
She said that "anyone who has served in the military" can apply at the organization’s website, www.operationhome front.net.
Cruz, a native of Guam who moved to Washington state in the late 1990s and joined the Army in 2002, served two tours in Iraq as a chemical specialist.
He suffered knee and brain injuries from roadside bomb attacks in Iraq and lost friends during an ambush on their patrol in 2007 in the Triangle of Death, a major battleground south of Baghdad.
"I got banged up and had injuries, but I’m still here. My buddies passed away and gave their lives for our country," he said.
"As soldiers, we don’t love the attention. We just do our jobs to serve our country and make our families proud," said Cruz, who recently moved to the Las Vegas Valley from Hawaii, where he was medically retired after serving 9½ years in the Army.
Cruz said he experienced financial problems after his discharge.
"It was very difficult to make it compared to what I was making on active-duty pay."
His wife, Amanda Cruz, said getting the house is "the greatest relief. It gives us a big weight off our shoulders."
Their son, Justin, said he will finally have his own bedroom.
"I’m excited. This is the biggest house ever."
Contact reporter Keith Rogers at krogers@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0308.
