Wounded vet to receive keys to customized home

An Iraq War veteran permanently disabled in a 2008 attackwill soon receive the keys to a Corona home that was custom-designed toaccommodate his needs.

A ceremony is planned Saturday for U.S. Army Sgt. David Mayer, who lostboth of his legs when his unit was attacked with roadside explosives detonatedby Iraqi insurgents on March 14, 2008.

Mayer was on his second tour of duty, patrolling the area around Al-Hillah, just south of Baghdad, at the time, according to Taunton, Mass.-basedHomes for Our Troops, which relies on corporate and individual donations toconstruct homes for service members severely injured in combat since Sept. 11,2001.

According to the nonprofit organization, a single-story property at 1720Liberty Drive in Corona was remodeled to facilitate Mayer in every waypossible.

“This home will stabilize me so I can go to school and work and get onwith my life,” the soldier said. “One of my biggest worries has been tryingto locate accessible housing, and Homes for Our Troops is taking that worryaway.”

The specially adapted home will be Mayer’s without his owing anything onthe property up-front, according to Homes for Our Troops spokeswoman JenniferReed.

Friends, family and supporters of the serviceman will be on hand for theSaturday event, slated to begin at 11 a.m. The Patriot Guard Riders, avolunteer group of motorcycle enthusiasts, most of them former military, willbe honoring Mayer with a special salute.

Celebrants and the media will be invited to tour the property betweennoon and 1 p.m., according to organizers.

More information is available at HomesForOurTroops.org.