WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Saturday, Congressman Steve Austria (R – Beavercreek) joined the “Homes for Our Troops” founder and other elected officials to dedicate a new home in Fairborn for a wounded warrior and his family. In 2009, Marine Corporal Larry Draughn was on his second deployment in Helmand Province, Afghanistan when an IED blast led to the amputation of both his legs and two fingers on his right hand.

“It was an honor to be part of the new home dedication for the Draughn family,” Congressman Steve Austria said. “The generosity and support from our local community was abundant. There is no way we could fully repay the brave men and women – like Corporal Draughn – who have made such tremendous sacrifices in the service of our country, but local support for projects like this gives soldiers and their families an incredible boast as they face new challenges in their lives.”

“Homes for Our Troops” is a non-profit organization dedicated to gathering funds, materials and professional labor to build houses for wounded veterans as they return home from the front lines. Officials in attendance included Homes for Our Troops Founder & President, John Gonsalves, Ohio State Senator Chris Widener, City of Fairborn Mayor Joan Dautel, and National President of the Blue Star Mothers of America representative Robin McCarthy.