Jerral Hancock, a wounded Army veteran, will soon receive a brand new home thanks to the students from Lancaster High School in Southern California. The group of dedicated students committed to building the home from scratch and finally presented their hard work to Hancock on his 29th birthday.
Students gather to help vet
Hancock was left partially paralyzed while serving in Iraq. The Star Tribune explained that the tank he was driving was attacked on his 21st birthday, causing him to lose his left arm and become badly burned. When Lancaster High School students learned about Hancock's experience, they chose him for their annual school project honoring veterans.
He met the students at the school in 2013 when teacher Jamie Goodreau invited him to speak to her class. After seeing Hancock open up about his time in Iraq, his injuries and his current living situation, the students felt that they should give back.
New home changes servicemember's life
According to Stars and Stripes magazine, it took the group two years and a lot of fundraising to build the home. Hancock explained how grateful he was for their gift after living in a mobile home. He is well-known in the area, as he frequently participates in parades and other veteran events.
However, due to his quiet and private nature, no one knew exactly what he was going through. He told the news source that his living space was so small, he could not get his wheelchair into the rooms of his son and daughter.
His new spacious home will make things a lot easier for him and his children. Among those who helped the students was actor Gary Sinise, who attended one of the benefit concerts, and local prison inmates who held an art sale to contribute to the funding.