Fair warning - this article is being written on December 7th - a day president Franklin Roosevelt declared “…which will live in infamy.” It will forever be a day of remembrance in this great country. A historical date - eclipsed only by the more recent September 11th attacks that, to many Americans, is one that we’ve promised never to forget. This article, of course, is about architectural restoration, the restoration of a home that itself is a monument. According to a carved stone monument in the front yard it’s “… a reminder of all who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and to all service members that all Americans are forever grateful for your devotion, commitment, and sacrifice that you make to keep our country safe.”
The home at the heart of this case study is not a large or elaborate house. In fact, it’s a fairly simple home, conspicuously newer than all of the others in the older, yet homey residential neighborhood in Kokomo, IN. It’s the story behind this newly constructed home that is most interesting. First consider that this home is being built by the Homes for Wounded Warriors Program (HWWP). Most of the materials and manpower for this building have been donated by local businesses and the local community as a way to remember and repay a debt to our country’s true heroes. Construction of this special home has been underway since the demolition of the previous, dilapidated structure on this site in late August 2012.