(MOBILE, Ala.) - A local Marine is one step closer to owning a home free of charge.
Volunteers in Mobile came together on Hamilton Oaks Lane Friday to build a new handicap-accessible home for Corporal Christopher Montgomery.
In 2010 Corporal Montgomery was in Afghanistan on his third deployment when an explosion changed his life forever.
"We were walking and I was in the middle of the patrol. I slipped on this rubble and triggered a bomb, an IED," said Montgomery.
He lost both his legs, severely injured his left arm and spent more than two months in the hospital.
"If I could go back I would. I enjoyed what I did. I enjoyed my job. I enjoyed the people," said Montgomery.
Now the national nonprofit organization "Homes for our Troops" is saying thank you.
"Our mission is simple. We build totally handicap accessible homes for our troops and give it to them free of charge," said Larry Gill, Veterans Liaison.
Everything is designed specifically for Corporal Montgomery.
"Wider doors, showers, roll under sinks, pull down cabinetry," said Gill.
Those closest to Montgomery say, if anyone deserves this, he does.
"He's got a really good attitude about what happened. It couldn't be happening for any better person," said Marine Sgt. Colin Faust.
Consider the house an early birthday present.
Montgomery turns 25 next week.
Once he moves into his new home and gets settled, his plan is to go to college and one day own his own business.
For more information on how you can help:
http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ChrisMontgomery
