Retired Army Sgt. Dominic Perrotte III was presented with a giant red key to the home at the 126th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena Calif. on New Year's Day.
With a seat of honor in the Rose Parade and keys to a mortgage-free home, 2015 is already a shaping up as a decent year for Dominic Perrotte.
And he can reflect on his good fortune in Hampton, because thats where his new home will be.
Perrotte is a retired Army staff sergeant who received the Purple Heart while in Iraq. He was selected to ride in the 126th annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on New Years Day to represent Americans who have served in the military.
They rode in a stagecoach courtesy of the banking and financial services holding company Wells Fargo. The theme of this years parade was inspiring stories, and Wells Fargo teamed with the Military Warriors Support Foundation to make it a very special ride for Perrotte and his family.
During the parades closing ceremony, the Perrotte family was surprised with a mortgage-free home.
Although Perrotte is a western Pennsylvania native and has lived in Washington state for several years, he chose Hampton to be closer to family and friends, according to a Wells Fargo news release.
Perrotte could not be reached for comment Friday about his future plans, but his Facebook page was crowded with messages from well-wishers.
I just want to say thanks for all the congratulations, he wrote in response. We are definitely feeling the love. Super thanks to Wells Fargo Bank and the Military Warrior Support Foundation. They have changed our lives today.
The details of his service record were not available from the Army on Friday, but a bio supplied by Wells Fargo said the nine-year veteran was working with a recovery unit for a combat repair team in Baghdad when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Perrotte and his men remained on the battlefield for 30 hours until it was safe for them to be evacuated.
Perrotte deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan during his career. He is a native of Ford City, Pa., about 40 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, according to a story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
The Military Warrior Support Foundation is a non-profit charity that aims to ease the transition from military to civilian life. It provides help with education and employment, plus recreational activities.
Its home donation program is called Homes4WoundedHeroes, which awards mortgage-free homes to combat wounded veterans.
Wells Fargo began working with the foundation in 2012. That same year, Wells Fargos Military Affairs program pledged $35 million over three years to help service members find housing and jobs, and to receive financial education. Of that, $30 million was set aside for home donations.
The foundation was responsible for selecting Perrotte, and Wells Fargo donated the home.
It all paid dividends Thursday for Perrotte, his wife, Kayla and their son.
During the closing ceremony, Perrottes wife wept as her husband accepted the key, prompting parade co-host Bob Eubanks to remark: If that doesnt bring a tear to your eye, what will?
The Los Angeles Times contributed to this report.
Lessig can be reached by phone at 757-247-7821.
Source: http://www.vagazette.com/news/dp-purple-heart-home-hampton-rose-bowl,0,4281045.story
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