Michael Malone and his new/old home
Fox59 tells the story of Michael Malone and the dozens of volunteers who helped move into his childhood home. His mother had passed recently leaving Michael as the recipient of her home, where he had been raised. But the house needed to be renovated and the Air Force veteran couldn’t afford the repairs and he eventually ended up in a shelter.
But then more than 60 volunteers of the Home Depot Foundation and the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation stepped up;
“What he’s been through, he’s had some challenges,” said Matt Rice, store manager for the Castleton Home Depot. “We are helping him get back and are getting this house in shape where he can move back in and get going again.”
Malone says he looks forward to moving in and getting a fresh start.
“I’m excited for a new leaf in life, a new fresh start,” said Malone. “I’m touched by the generosity of people.”
Renovations include remodeling the bathroom, installing new floors and painting the interior of the house.
“I’m kind of overwhelmed, said Malone. “I’m happy, I’m sad in a sense that my mother won’t be here to experience this- this was her home.”
Malone says he feels blessed and is grateful for the overwhelming support from the community.
“This just blows me away that there are people that are really truly that kind,” said Malone. “It absolutely restores my view of humanity.”
Category: Veterans in the news
“It absolutely restores my view of humanity.” Great story- thanks Jonn.
Home Depot has a history of doing good work with Veterans.
I try not to use it too often, but I have to say that I do sometimes take the Veterans discount.
That’s nice, but why after 19-years of service is he homeless and financially strapped? By now he should have a degree or some type or skilled training where he is not in a situation like this. I realize that things happen, but good planning happens as well.
I think the VA should offer post-discharge financial and life skills training. Too many veterans do not seem to have the skills and motivation to start their civilian careers.
Again, it’s nice that Home Depot is doing this, but it’s better if veterans get focused on long-term plans.
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
I’m there. Something is amiss. Living in a shelter? Home ownership can be quite a burden. There are property taxes, water bills, sewer bills, and electric bills just for starters. Then there are things such as rugs, furniture, light bulbs, brooms, a rake or two, a mower, weedwhacker, garbage cans, garbage service, dishes, utensils, pots, pans, and various and sundry other basic items. Then there’s food. Good old food. I have one question: when does the house go up for sale?
And another thing. He says he’s sorry his mother isn’t there to see what’s been done. And, what, he couldn’t paint a room or two for Mom? I wish we knew the rest of the story. Prison? Jailings? Drugs? Alcohol? Mental illness? Or is he just a bum?
I’m with you Air Cav, something is missing from this story……
Maybe all of the above. But I suppose those private organizations can do this if they want and it isn’t hurting you or I.
OM. That’s absolutely true but when Jonn posts a story, comments follow. I’m all for Home Depot helping a Veteran–who deserves the help.
10-4 I understand your point now.
Except he never graduated AIT and got booted.
2/17. The “but he never graduated….” Text was totally meant for a text to a friend. Not for this post. I have no idea how it got there. I’m not as insane as I sound. Lol.
Something I’ve seen happen too often to veterans is many don’t realize they are no longer in charge any more. I tell everyone I know who’s about to leave active duty that they’re not the boss unless they are hired to be the boss. Also, doctors’ appointments and trips to what we used to call the commissary, bx, and post office are coming out of their pay. I once had a boss who thought is was funny how he and I had the same AFSC and yet he was my boss; he was discharged as an A1C and I retired as a MSGT. He was the boss and I did as I was told, some, but no all, veterans would see that as unacceptable.
I can’t say that is what happened to this guy; but, a lot of folks need a reality check before they leave active duty. The recruiters said some folks make 6 figures doing what you signed up to do, they didn’t say you would.
You also have people conditioned to just go with the flow after military service. Take them out of that structure and they just don’t know what to do without being told to do it.
My boss got out as an E-6, I retired as an E-7. Another one of my boss’ subordinates retired as an E-9. We both do what we are told because we realize that the military didn’t come with us when we retired.
Best Feel Good story of my day!
Here’s a link to the story with pics… said they did a bathroom remodel, new flooring and paint. Perhaps it sat vacant after his mother passed, doesn’t sound like much work was done.
Looks as good as any set of government quarters I’ve ever lived in…
http://fox59.com/2018/04/17/homeless-veteran-to-move-into-childhood-home-thanks-to-help-of-local-volunteers/
Here is another story with pretty babes John might want to post.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/04/24/sorority-grants-world-war-ii-vets-final-wish-to-dance-with-beautiful-woman.html