Like every year, this November 11 we will observe Veterans Day, a federal holiday honoring and remembering all those who served in the United States Armed Forces.
Earlier this year, one veteran named Bill Parrish – better known by many as “The Flying Gunny” – came home from the hospital to a newly-remodeled house, thanks to some local heroes.
The 89-year-old earned his nickname after serving as a Gunny Sergeant in the Marines during the Korean War. He is a Purple Heart recipient and is proud of his service, but says he reserves the title “hero” for his fallen comrades.
“I came home, heroes did not.”
This veteran says he has been “trading” with Lowe’s for 15-20 years, wearing his hat to the store and taking advantage of the discount Lowe’s offers veterans.
Over the last few years, his health declined and, unfortunately, so did his East Dallas home. When Gunny had to spend some time in the hospital early in the year, Brian “Twelve” Wilburn, the Director of Veteran Operations at the Veterans Resource and Outreach Center learned about the state of Gunny’s home.
Brian reached out to a few groups for help, including the Combat Veteran’s Motorcycle Association, America's Guardians, Third Watch, the Marine Corps League, Life Message, and Eco-Safe. He also reached out to Steve Mills, a market director for Lowe’s.
“[There is] no greater honor then to give back to those who have given so much to serve our great nation,” Mills said. He made a few calls and quickly rounded up a group of Lowe’s associates, along with the other groups, to renovate Gunny’s house.
The volunteers exterminated, gutted and cleaned the entire house. Then, filled it with new appliances and furniture to make it feel like home. As they worked, associates came across notebooks, pictures and documents that told Gunny’s story about his service to his country, something they said inspired them even more.
“That really made us somewhat convicted to lift him up, bring his home back to (living) standards and make it a better home for him,” said Lowe’s volunteer and store manager Sam Gonzales.
On Friday, March 6, Lowe’s associates and other volunteers, gathered with flags in hand to welcome Gunny back home after an extended hospital stay.
For those who volunteered their time, lending a helping hand to someone who needed it was well worth it, especially when hearing just how much it meant to Gunny.
“It’s my home. It’s all I have,” Gunny said. “I just can’t believe this, I couldn’t have gotten all of this done by myself.”
