A Marine Corps veteran who was left severely injured while serving in Afghanistan will soon have a brand new home to call his own in El Cajon.
Marine Cpl. Carlos Torres lost both of his legs and injured his left elbow when he stepped on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2011. Four years later, he never imagined he would be the recipient of a brand new mortgage-free home.
"I don't know what to say or what to feel its just a lot of confusion," Marine Cpl. Torres said at Saturday's groundbreaking on Crummy Court. "But happy confused."
Torres was presented with the keys to his future home thanks to Home for Our Troops, a national, non-profit organization that aids critically injured veterans by giving them mortgage-free, specially adapted homes. Torres said the event left him humbled.
"There's really no words to describe what it is to get a home, I mean a home mortgage free," Torres said. "It's huge. I don't even know how to say thank you because thank you is just not enough."
The home will feature several special adapations to make life for Torres easier. It will include widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower, and pull-down shelving and lowered countertops.
Torres said that he was shocked to hear he was selected to receive a new home, considering he is young, unmarried and has no children. But he isn't taking the grand gesture for granted. He now hopes to finish his education.
Home for Our Troops has built over 180 homes for veterans around the country, with another 24 houses under construction.
