Wounded veteran receives custom-built home

TIFTON — Originally from Gainesville, U.S. Army Sgt. Chad Turner joined the service in 2002 and went through basic training at Fort Benning. He met his wife, Jennifer, in 2003 and the couple married the next year.

Turner served four back-to-back deployments from 2005 to 2011 in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was able to come home when the couple’s son, Jason, was born in 2006 but returned to overseas duty after just one week.

In December 2011, while in Afghanistan, Turner and his comrades were attacked during a mission. Four rocket-propelled grenades landed near the soldiers. After the explosions, Turner said he has no memory of what came next.

Now honorably discharged from the Army, Turner has been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, cognitive learning disorder, degenerative disc disease, PTSD as well as other ailments.

The Turner family was invited to what they believed was an interview for a new home through Operation Finally Home in December 2016. In reality, it was a groundbreaking for an already approved new family home. Chad, Jennifer and Jason Turner had not seen their new home since it was framed until Friday. Completely mortgage-free, the ribbon was snipped and the keys handed over to the new homeowners in Tifton with an impressive crowd gathered to celebrate on a very cold, but sunny, day.

The Rev. Rodney Owens of TyTy First Baptist Church prayed for the family and their new residence as the group gathered in the two-car garage. Tift County Sheriff Gene Scarborough offered the family an emotional welcome. Scarborough, a big and burly fellow, said, “I don’t know if I can do this.” After a moment, Sheriff Scarborough did indeed welcome the Turner family to their new county of residence.

Before the family went inside to look at their new home, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and an American flag was presented to the family by U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton.

“This flag has flown over our nation’s capital, and I am proud to present it to you, an American hero,” Scott told Turner.

When the ribbon was cut and the family members saw their completed home, there were smiles galore. Operation Finally Home and the builder, Structures by Chris Brooks, cut no corners. From the gas fireplace to the granite counter tops, the fully wheelchair-accessible shower and doorways to the covered back porch, and the fenced-in backyard, the home was designed with but one family in mind. It even has a room especially for Chad to decompress and be alone when needed.

The Turner family was all set to move in Friday.

Jennifer Turner said, “I am sleeping here tonight even if it is on the floor!”

Not much for crowds nor for speaking in front of one, Chad Turner and his service dog, Buddy, did manage to stand in front of those gathered for the event.

“When I stood here, on what was just dirt at the time, I really thought someone was messing with me,” he said. “I did not believe this was real. Today, I stand in our new home with many thanks to all who made this possible. This will be my home forever, until the good Lord calls me.”