History: The Birth of the House of Heroes

Between 1992 and 1999, Rev. Wayne Anthony conducted several military funerals at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He noted a declining trend in the number of mourners at each funeral. He also noticed that as many veterans he knew grew older, they were less able to care for the yard or house in which they had lived for 30 years and had once kept immaculate. A national tragedy was unfolding. Since 1940, 70 million Americans have served in America's military. Now they have reached the age where "the greatest generation" is being laid to rest at staggering rates. Some 1,400 veterans die every day, with fewer and fewer people left to honor their life, their death, and their legacy. In addition to the decline in crowds, the military has difficulty finding people to even play "Taps" at the funerals. Sometimes they have to use a tape or compact disc player. What a tragedy! So little for so many who suffered so much.

On Oct. 12, 1999, on a hillside overlooking the cemetery, the funeral of Dennis Richardson had begun. Dennis's flag-draped coffin stood alone during the playing of taps and the 21-gun salute. During the service, Wayne Anthony realized we should do something--no, we must do something--to say "thank you" to these great Americans before they leave us. We need to say "thank you" to these veterans--many of whom never came home to a hero's welcome. Many were part of the occupying force in Europe and Asia, and had no cheering crowds to greet them when they returned home. Even worse, at the end of Vietnam, jeering crowds greeted our returning veterans.

Wayne Anthony also realized that no one has said "thank you" to the families of these veterans. No one had said "thank you" to the families who had moved around the world and across the country, some moving as much as every year of their lives. No one had said "thank you" to the children being moved from school to school, constantly leaving friends and family. Indeed, the soldiers had sacrificed immensely for our country, but their families had sacrificed as well. We desperately need, as a nation, to say "thank you" before it is too late--and we needed to do it in words and deeds.

On the evening of November 11, 1999, during the Society for Human Resource Management's National Leadership Banquet, an idea was born. Wayne Anthony would create an organization to do something personal, practical, and symbolic to honor military and public safety veterans and/or their surviving spouses. This idea later grew into the House of Heroes organization.

Now, this organization brings volunteers to the homes of honorees for a one-day project to help improve the living conditions of these retired veterans. There is a closing ceremony to give honor to the veterans or spouses for their hard work and commitment in behalf of our country. The presentation of an American Flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol culminates the event, in recognition of the importance and depth of their sacrifice.

In the early months of 2000, Steve Butler of the W.C. Bradley company volunteered his organization as the founding sponsor for the Inaugural House of Heroes project. Former U.S. Senator Max Cleland and U.S. Congressman Mac Collins spoke at the closing ceremony. Congressman Sanford Bishop, Senator Paul Coverdell, and former Columbus Mayor Bobby Peters also attended. Other volunteers and co-sponsors included: Helen Johnson, Society for Human Resource Managers; Mike Gaymon, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce; Chuck Walls, U.S. Army Garrison, Ft. Benning; and Diane Sinkule, Hands On Columbus.

On May 12, 2000, HOH repaired its first home. On August 31, 2001 the homes of twelve (12) additional veterans’ or homes of family members of veterans were repaired. During the week of September 16-20, 2002, fifty-six (56) homes for persons who had served in our military or public safety were repaired. In 2003 thirty-two (32) homes were repaired including the one-hundredth (100th) home for a highly decorated Merrill’s Marauders veteran and wife of 58 years, MSGT Vincent & Frankie Melillo. In 2004 work on an additional fifty-two (52) homes was completed and in 2005 forty (40) more homes were worked on. In 2006 another forty (40) was completed. In 2007, during the months of August, September and October, volunteers, including Congressman Lynn Westmoreland, worked on an additional forty-two (42) homes. At special ceremonies, Senators Saxby Chambliss and Max Cleland, Representatives Mac Collins, Phil Gingrey, Lynn Westmoreland and Sanford Bishop have presented flags that have been flown over the Capitol of the United States to honor these recipients. The total number of recipients helped and honored in the Columbus-Phenix City-Fort Benning area to date is two-hundred and seventy-five (275).

We Need Your Help!

Our goal for 2008 is to assit and honor 40 recipients. There are many, many veterans and their spouses who need our help. Your support is critical to meeting those needs. If you would like to volunteer or contribute, please contact House of Heroes at (706) 569-7011 or email: houseofheroes@knology.net.