Purple Heart Homes Salute Veterans Love of Country and Love for One Another
Happy Valentine’s Day to Veteran Sweethearts!
STATESVILLE, N.C., Feb. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Valentine’s Day Purple Heart Homes Co-founders Dale Beatty and John Gallina share common values that are top priorities in their lives. They both love our country and raised their hand to serve. They love their wives that worried about their safety while deployed to Iraq. Today, their wives remain supportive of Purple Heart Home’s mission and their continued service to veterans just like them– Providing love, support, safety and comfort at home for Veterans from all generations.
Home is definitely where ones heart is and this Valentine’s Day – Purple Heart Homes salutes Veteran sweethearts, who share the same values as Purple Heart Homes Co-founders Dale Beatty and John Gallina.
Meet Samantha (age 25) and Benjamin (age 24) Christopher, US Marines (Ret). On their first Valentine’s Day both were deployed to Afghanistan. They were going to celebrate together – however Benjamin’s vehicle had mechanical problems. When Samantha returned to base she found roses, a teddy bear and candy in her room from Benjamin.
Both Benjamin and Samantha have demonstrated not only their love for each other, but also their love of our country.
Both enlisted in the U.S. Marines and deployed to Afghanistan for eight months in 2011, and together they served a second tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2013. They were “outside the box” for over 150 missions. Both were exposed to Improvised Explosive Devices and other conventional enemy attacks.
Veteran Marine Sweethearts Benjamin and Samantha Christopher (PRNewsFoto/Purple Heart Homes)
Samantha and Benjamin were both injured and awarded Purple Hearts for their wounds received in combat. They live daily with the results of those deadly attacks while continuing to support and care for each other.
In January 2015, Purple Heart Homes provided Samantha and Benjamin Christopher with the keys to their renovated home complete with a big back yard and plenty of room for their growing family. Through the Veterans Home Ownership Program, they pay a mortgage of 50% of the home market value.
“Our home is where our heart is now with our two young children. We wake up grateful each day that we live in the United States and are proud home owners,” said Samantha Christopher.
As years pass by love of country and one another matures and grows deeper.
Stephen and Noleen O'Loughlin
Meet Stephen (age 83) and Noleen O’Loughlin (age 76) married 57 years. In their early years Noleen came to the United States from Ireland to be a nanny in Yorktown, NY. Stephen found the Irish lass to have all the qualities he was looking for as a life long mate. They married and then the U.S. Army drafted Stephen.
Stephen soon deployed to Korea where he served from 1952-1954. During his service to our country he received the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the United National Service Medal.
When Stephen returned to Yorktown he went to work to support his family of five children. He remains an active member of the Yorktown Heights VFW Post 8328, where he is fondly known as ‘Mr. O.”
Valentine’s Day is not experienced only one day a year at the O’Loughlin’s home. Stephen throughout the year regularly comes home with special surprises for Noleen.
As Stephen aged he suffered many illnesses and hospitalizations. In 2013 he had his right leg amputated below the knee as a result of diabetes.
Through the Purple Heart Homes Aging in Place program at no cost to the O’Loughlin’s – A chairlift was donated to help him easily get up to his bedroom. In addition, railings will be placed out his front door and back door so he has stability when walking down the steps with his prosthetic. These simple changes will enable Stephen and Noleen to safely age in place so they can continue to enjoy one another, their five grown children and six grandchildren.
This Valentine’s Day – show some love to Veteran sweethearts you know and help Purple Heart Homes provide more housing solutions for young couples like the Christopher’s and our older Veterans like the O’Loughlin’s. Visit www.purplehearthomesusa.org to learn more and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/purplehearthomes.
