An Evansville man who made a big sacrifice for our country is receiving a big show of appreciation from his community and a national organization. The organization Homes For Our Troops is sponsoring the first home build in Indiana for Sgt. Kenneth Harker and his family.
In 2008 Harker was in Iraq when his Humvee was hit by an explosive. He lost his left leg in the blast, and a year later he had to amputate his right leg as well. Friday hundreds of volunteers and skilled tradesmen started construction on what will soon be a new home for Harker, his wife Heather, and 6-month-year-old daughter Kenslee.
Harker and his wife tell Eyewitness News he encounters daily challenges because their home is not wheelchair accessible.
"Most of the doors to my house I either can't get through them or can barely get through them," says Sgt. Harker.
"He's limited on space and where he can get through and I don't think anyone wants to be limited in their own home," says Heather Harker. She says of the toughest challenges her husband faces is not being able to access his daughter's nursery room. "He would like to be able to lay his daughter down in her crib, and you know, wake her up in the morning -- let his face be the first one she sees when she wakes up." She says their new home will finally give him the opportunity to be the father and husband he wants to be.
Sgt. Harker says the new home will make life easier -- and will be truly life changing. Organizers say the home will be completely finished in September.
In 2008 Harker was in Iraq when his Humvee was hit by an explosive. He lost his left leg in the blast, and a year later he had to amputate his right leg as well. Friday hundreds of volunteers and skilled tradesmen started construction on what will soon be a new home for Harker, his wife Heather, and 6-month-year-old daughter Kenslee.
Harker and his wife tell Eyewitness News he encounters daily challenges because their home is not wheelchair accessible.
"Most of the doors to my house I either can't get through them or can barely get through them," says Sgt. Harker.
"He's limited on space and where he can get through and I don't think anyone wants to be limited in their own home," says Heather Harker. She says of the toughest challenges her husband faces is not being able to access his daughter's nursery room. "He would like to be able to lay his daughter down in her crib, and you know, wake her up in the morning -- let his face be the first one she sees when she wakes up." She says their new home will finally give him the opportunity to be the father and husband he wants to be.
Sgt. Harker says the new home will make life easier -- and will be truly life changing. Organizers say the home will be completely finished in September.
