Vietnam Veteran's Canton Home Renovation Nearing Completion

Submitted release 

Joe Recupero like so many Vietnam Veterans was never really welcomed home after he served his tour of duty.  That will all change for Joe Recuero on Saturday, Dec. 14 – when Purple Heart Homes and the community of Canton will welcome Recupero back to his newly renovated handicap accessible, safe barrier free home.

For several weeks volunteers from Travelers, church groups and work crews from Manchester, CT have been helping Purple Heart Homes build an addition onto Joe’s home including a handicap accessible bathroom and bedroom, a ramp out the front door and moved his driveway so he can gain easy entrance to his home at 7 Forest Lane in Canton, CT.

Purple Heart Homes Regional Director Vicki Thomas and Project Manager Marlene Figueroa will hold a Canton community wide meeting Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Canton Community Center Multi-Purpose room located at 40 Dwyer Avenue.

At this meeting interested members of the community that want to learn more about how they can help plan and be a part of the Welcome Home Ceremony are encouraged to attend. This will also be an opportunity to learn more about Purple Heart Homes and other upcoming projects in the area.

Purple Heart Homes is planning a Welcome Home Shower for Joe.  As you can imagine many of the items in Joe’s home are old – like sheets, towels, pillows and blankets.  Individuals will be able to sign up come to the Welcome Home Ceremony to shower Joe not only with love, but also needed household items. 

Joe Recupero age 62 as a result of his service in Vietnam suffers from severe Parkinson’s, which is one of the 14 known diseases the VA has identified caused as a result of exposure to the defoliant chemical Agent Orange used by the US military during the Vietnam War from 1961-1971.

Joe Recupero is dearly loved and highly regarded by many in the Canton community the renovations to his home are being provided by Purple Heart Homes at no cost to Joe Recupero.  Because there were so many other issues that needed to be done to his home such as a new roof and structural repairs the scope of work has expanded and donations are welcomed and needed.  Donations can be made at Webster Bank where a depository account has been opened.

We hope Canton residents will show up on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Canton Community Center to learn how they can be a part of this project.

For information or details contact Marleen Figueroa = Purple Heart Homes Project manager at (203) 981-8251 or Vicki Thomas at (203) 984-2138

ABOUT PURPLE HEART HOMES

Purple Heart Homes is a non profit founded in 2008 by two Iraq wounded Veterans that remain on a mission to provide for the unmet housing needs of Service Connected Disable Veterans that served in all eras. 

Purple Heart Homes Co-founders Dale Beatty and John Gallina were deployed to Iraq in late 2003 and on November 15, 2004 their lives would change forever when the vehicle they were riding in hit an anti tank mine leaving Beatty a double amputee below the knees and Gallina with severe back injuries. 

To learn more about Purple Heart Homes see: www.purplehearthomesusa.org and like them on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/PurpleHeartHomes