John is the co-founder of Purple Heart Homes [1] having dedicated his career to building homes in North Carolina when he was just 19 years old. In January 2004, he deployed for his first tour with the North Carolina National Guard. On November 15, 2004, while riding with fellow service member Dale Beatty, their vehicle hit an anti-tank mine resulting in severe head and back injuries.
Upon his return to North Carolina, John felt that others before him who had fought in wars also needed to be acknowledged. After helping to build a specially adapted home for Dale, who lost both his legs in the IED attack, the two teamed up with the common goal of providing help for veterans of all generations - giving them back their freedom from the barriers in their current homes. Click here [1] to learn more about Purple Heart Homes.
Return to The Next Greatest Generation Hub >> [2]
Links:
[1] http://www.purplehearthomesusa.org/
[2] http://iava.org/TIME
[3] http://iava.org/files/JohnGallina_photo.jpg
