Gov. Holcomb To Speak At Homes For Our Troops Fundraiser

The fundraiser is set for September 16 in Milroy.

(Milroy, Ind.) - Homes for Our Troops (HFOT), a national nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post–9/11 veterans, will be receiving important support from area residents.

A fund-raiser is set for Sept. 16 at the Milroy home of Terry Showalter and Jean Ann Harcourt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, Navy veteran, and retired Air Force Brig. Gen. J. Stewart Goodwin, executive director of the Indiana War Memorials Commission, will be among the speakers.

The chairs for the event are State Rep. Randy Frye, Greensburg, chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee; Bill Goins, Rushville, U.S. Army veteran; and Jacob Lyerla, Milroy, U.S. Army veteran (Afghanistan) and HFOT home recipient.

Co-chairs are two of the event sponsors -- Celeste Calvitto, Lawrenceburg, owner of CalComm Indiana LLC, and Abe Keim, Milroy, owner of Hoosier Pallet; and Howard Lower, Rushville, Korean War veteran.

The HFOT event is scheduled for 12:30-3:30 p.m. The program will begin at 2 p.m. The cost is $50 for individuals and $100 for families. Veterans and their families are invited to attend at no charge. Food and beverages will be available. It will be a casual, picnic-style outdoor event.

Most of the veterans who are HFOT recipients have sustained injuries including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, and/or severe traumatic brain injury. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents out of every dollar has gone directly to program services for veterans. HFOT builds the homes where the veteran chooses to live, and continues its relationship with the veterans after home delivery to assist with rebuilding their lives.

Hoosiers in addition to Milroy veteran Jacob Lyerla who have received HFOT homes are Brett Bondurant, Lawrenceburg, U.S. Army (Afghanistan); Kenneth Harker, Evansville, U.S. Army (Iraq); and Zachary Nelson, U.S. Marines (Afghanistan), Noblesville.

RSVPs are requested. For more information on how to attend, to donate, or to be a sponsor, contact Jean Ann Harcourt at Harcourt Industries at 765-629-2429 or jean@harcourtoutlines.com.