QUITMAN (KYTX) - An East Texas community is coming together to help a Marine veteran get a new home through a program called the "K-Vet Project". CBS 19's Amanda Roberson takes us to the project site off to show us more.
The house is being built for 78 year old Korean War Era Veteran Wayne Prine. Mr. Prine served in the Marine Corps and is the 'K-Vet Project' recipient. The house he's living in now is literally falling apart and that's why this crew is giving him the house they say he deserves.
With ever window installed and 2x4 added to the new house, Lloyd Robichaux remembers the house Wayne Prine is living in right now. "There's holes, the floors are separating from the walls, the ceiling started to fall down on his bed and you have to be careful when you use the bathroom you don't fall through the floor."
Prine loaned Robichaux his property to host a trail ride fundraiser for the non-profit group Texas United Mounted Peace Officers of Texas, or TUMPOT, last spring and that's when the group, including Lloyd and his wife Nancy realized the veteran needed help.
"While we were preparing the place for the trail ride we noticed the deplorable living conditions," Lloyd explained. "Found out he wasn't even living in a house he owned."
Now, TUMPOT is building him a home he can call his own. "Two bedrooms and one bath, it's squared off pretty much 32 by 40 so that we would waste less materials."
Materials Lloyd said are paid for completely through donations. "We're buying as we go so we don't have no debts on this house."
That's why TUMPOT contacted fellow Marine and veteran Bill Hamby with the Green Zone veteran group in Tyler for help.
"He's a Marine veteran, served during the Korean War Era just like myself and I can understand where he's coming from," Hamby explained. "Marines take care of Marines."
Mr. Prine didn't want to go on camera, but over the last 12 years he's lost his wife to cancer, raised two grand children, had two heart attacks, diabetes, COPD, and diagnosed with prostate cancer.
"He's never asked the government, he's never asked for anybody for any kind of assistance and he's a veteran just like I am and he deserves it. He's on of America's best." But Hamby said there aren't many government options for pine when it comes to assistance. "Grants and different programs for today's veterans, but there is nothing for Korean War Era Veterans."
That's why Hamby and TUMPOT are joining forces, and hoping others will join their cause.
While the group has made a lot of progress building this house, they're afraid they're about to come to a stand still. The next step is adding insulation and the donations and funds aren't there right now and that's why they're asking the community to help Mr. Prine get a new home. The group hopes to complete the house by fall.
An account has been set up at Region's Bank for donations. Any donation can be made to Region's Bank at any branch. The account is 'Rose City MCL for the Korean Vet Home Building Project'.
To learn more about TUMPOT and helping with 'K-Vet Project' visit www.tumpot.org.
