Mattapoisett welcomes veteran into new accessible home
May 13, 2023
Rebecca Mann and Brandon Korona hang an American flag in front of Mann’s new home. Photos by: Taylor Fruzzetti
Mann receives her quilt from the Pine Hill Veteran and Quilting groups.
The crowd welcomes Mann home.
Mann’s dog Maddie watches from the crowd.
MATTAPOSIETT— U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rebecca Mann was welcomed to her new home during the Homes For Our Troops key ceremony in Mattapoisett on Saturday, May 13.
“It’s been a long journey and a really short one all at the same time,” said Mann in referring to the construction of her new single-level specially adapted custom home provided by Homes For Our Troops.
According to Homes For Our Troops Marketing Director Kathleen DeVito, Mann’s new home includes over 40 custom adaptations to aid mobility including wider doorways and pull down shelves.
“There are so many things that I am excited about,” said Mann. “I think the automatic doors and the no thresholds to get in and out of the home are going to be a huge game changer.”
Construction for the home began in the fall of this year and was completed in spring according to DeVito.
Many spoke during the key ceremony to show their support including congressman Bill Keating and the Pine Hill Veteran and Quilting groups.
Homes For Our Troops chairman General Richard Cody addressed the crowd to thank fellow veterans and the Homes For Our Troops staff.
“Go to our headquarters and you will see an amazing group of Americans whose sole purpose every day is to find out how we can build more homes,” said Cody.
Mann’s friend and fellow veteran and Homes For Our Troops home owner Brandon Korona said that he has become closer to Mann during the construction process.
“The home has given me the ability to be the best husband and father that I can be,” said Korona. Korona explained that he has been Mann’s mentor through the process of readjusting to life after her amputations as well as through the Homes For Our Troops application process.
“It’s more than just a home, it's a family,” said Korona referring to the organization.
Mann said that she was grateful for the support she has received.
“Every little thing that Homes For Our Troops puts in these homes helps take off minutes of my day,” she said.
She explained that even something as simple as picking up a package could take time due to her limited mobility.
“These five minute tasks are going to become one second tasks and it will save me a lot of time.”
