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Two
Gen X Injured Iraq Veterans provide Home
Modifications for Viet Nam Baby Boomers and
Korean War and WWII Members from the Silent
Generation with Purple Heart Homes
STATESVILLE, N.C., Nov. 9, 2010 — As
Veterans Day approaches Thursday, November
11, two injured Iraq war veterans, Staff
Sergeant Dale Beatty (age 32) and SPC John
Gallina (age 31), co-founders of Purple
Heart Homes and both representatives from
Gen X, do not consider themselves heroes and
are now making life a little easier for
older veterans.
Dale Beatty and John Gallina, through the
non-profit organization they founded in 2009
– Purple Heart Homes (see: http://www.phhnc.org),
have reached across generational lines to
help make life easier for older veterans
that have aged in place in their homes.
“As they have aged, injuries they
experienced fighting for our country have
made it more difficult for older veterans to
climb steps without pain, or they are bound
to a wheelchair in their older homes with
narrow doors and hallways,” said co-founder
John Gallina.
Purple Heart Homes’ mission is to provide
housing for disabled veterans substantial in
function, design and quality.
“We do that by assessing the needs in older
veterans’ existing homes and make the
necessary modifications to provide a safe
and accessible barrier-free environment,”
said Gallina.
While they appreciate being thanked for
their service and sacrifice both Beatty and
Gallina want communities to thank all
veterans for their service. That includes
Viet Nam veterans or members from the Baby
Boom in addition to Korean War and World War
II veterans from the Silent Generation.
“Why should we be singled out and thanked
for our service and sacrifice in Iraq?”
asked Staff Sergeant Dale Beatty. “I
volunteered to serve and knew the
consequences,” he added. “The guys that
served in Viet Nam had no choice in the
matter – they were drafted. The WWII and
Korean War veterans fought for our nation’s
freedom and had our backs just like all
veterans who serve our country,” said
Beatty.
Purple Heart Homes wants to adapt more homes
for veterans and need lots of help,
including interested volunteers,
professional tradespeople and donations of
materials and money. To learn how you can
help, go to http://www.phhnc.org or
call 704-838-4044.
Both Staff Sergeant Dale Beatty and SPC John
Gallina were on a mission near Bayji, Iraq
when the vehicle they were riding in hit an
anti-tank mine that exploded, leaving Beatty
a double amputee below the knees and SPC
John Gallina suffering from serious head and
back injuries. Both were members of the
North Carolina National Guard – 30th BCT –
and served with Charlie Battery 1st Bn 113th
FA, stationed in Statesville, NC.
About Purple Heart Homes
Purple Heart Homes was co-founded in 2009 by
Dale Beatty and John Gallina. Their mission
is dedicated to providing housing
adaptations that are substantial in
function, design and quality and fit to
welcome home and thank the fighting men and
women of America – no matter where or when
they served.
