Wounded Vet Is Given House
U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Staff Sergeant Marty Brownlee received the key to the City of Monticello in March 2010. But, that honor pales in comparison to the key awarded to him in September — the key to a mortgage-free home in Jones County, courtesy of the Military Warrior Support Foundation (MWSF).
Many may remember the hero’s welcome SSgt. Brownlee received three years ago after returning home from active military duty in Afghanistan with his unit Bravo Company, Second Battallion, 121st Infantry.
The affair was met with much fanfare including a parade with motorcade escorts and military salutes all geared toward his safe return from the war ravaged Middle East.
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SSgt. Brownlee, a Jasper County resident since age 11, joined the Army in 1996, served in Kuwait in 1997 and Bosnia in 1998-99. With 10 years of active duty under his belt, it was the Afghanistan tour of 2009-10 that led to injuries earning him a Purple Heart. The wounded soldier could not have possibly imagined all that would follow—the good, bad, or ugly.
Recent events could definitely be filed under good. In September, SSgt. Brownlee was asked to attend the opening ceremonies of the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour in Atlanta at Eastlake Golf Club. Having completed an online application for the Homes 4 Wounded Heroes program, he had no idea prior to the very moment of the presentation what was about to transpire.
“It’s unbelievable,” said SSgt. Brownlee, who will be retiring from military service November 27. “It’s a four bedroom, two car garage home in a nice subdivision with a golf course and swimming pool. It’s a lot bigger than where we live now.”
The Brownlees, Marty, wife Autumn, and two daughters, are currently in the process of relocating from their rented home on Jackson Lake Road to their gifted home in neighboring Jones County.
Though the family is moving expect to see them around town. Marty plans to resume work with the McDonough Police Department following his retirement but Autumn will continue working in Monticello while their eldest daughter completes her senior year at Jasper County High School.
So how did the mortgage free home come about?
Taking part in the Army’s Wounded Warrior program, which advocates for soldiers that suffer from illness or injuries incurred in the line of duty after September 2001, opened the door for SSgt. Brownlee to take part in other military programs aimed at helping soldiers and veterans.
One of such program is Homes 4 Wounded Heroes sponsored by the MWSF. The foundation locates preowned or foreclosed homes, renovates the properties providing new appliances, flooring and other structures if needed. The homes are then offered to eligible participants who need only pay taxes and other household expenses.
The foundation awards homes to wounded soldiers injured during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Three requirements must be met for eligibility: be a combat wounded veteran of operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom with preference given to Purple Heart recipients, be honorably retired or within 90 days of separation from the military, and have no prior mortgage.
SSgt. Brownlee credits his former Battalion Commander Colonel Mark London for setting the process in motion.
“Col. London has looked out for me since I joined the national guard. He always kept in touch especially after Afghanistan. He called one day and said my information had been forwarded to MWSF and that I should register on the program’s website. I did and a few months later I’m told to report to Eastlake Golf Club.”
Excited about receiving a mortgage free home that day, SSgt. Brownlee expressed near equal excitement about seeing members of his unit at the ceremony.
“ It was good to see all my guys for this event. I hadn’t seen them since I left Afghanistan. I appreciate them being there for me.”
With the award of his new home other perks have come as well. Famed country singer George Strait called to congratulate him.
“I had King George on the phone!,” he said. That king is not be confused with the newborn heir to the English monarchy.
By the end of the month, the Brownlees will have moved into their new home and Marty will have retired from the army with final orders slated for December.
