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A New Mexico Marine veteran and his family have a new home for the holidays
Dustin Francisco, with his daughters Kieralyn and Alexandria, watch as family friend Johnson Nez, at left, blesses their new home in sa国际传媒官网网页入口 on Wednesday.
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Johnson Nez blew a whistle to draw the attention of the Almighty and blessed a northwest sa国际传媒官网网页入口 home with corn pollen and prayers Wednesday morning in preparation for a Marine veteran and his family to move in.
Purple Heart recipient and retired Marine Sgt. Dustin Francisco and his wife, Kimberlyn, were selected for the Building Homes for Heroes program, a nonprofit that has worked to provide 356 U.S. veterans and first responders homes since 2006. Chase Bank gifted the mortgage-free home. Lowe's and Advanced Auto Parts also provided financial support.
鈥淚 still can鈥檛 believe it鈥檚 real,鈥� Dustin Francisco said.
Francisco, 39, has five children, ages 19, 16, 10, 2 and 4 months. He left for boot camp Dec. 6, 2004, when his oldest daughter was only 6 months old.
The house is a blessing for the blended family, Kimberlyn Francisco said.
鈥淲e just know we鈥檒l grow from here in this house,鈥� she said.
Dustin Francisco comes from a legacy of military service. His paternal grandfather, Woody Francisco, received a Purple Heart for his service in the 6th Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan, in World War II. Woody Francisco's first cousin, Joe Vandever Sr., was one of the Navajo code talkers, a group that helped shift the tide of WWII.
鈥淎fter knowing the history of the Marine Corps, I really wanted to be part of something that is bigger than myself,鈥� Dustin Francisco said.
Francisco did five tours during his eight years in the Marines, said his mother, June Chavez. He wanted to re-enlist, but PTSD prevented that, she said.
In 2011, Francisco's unit operated in southern Helmand Province, Afghanistan, establishing a combat outpost. While on a mission, the unit was ambushed and he was struck by a grenade blast, causing a traumatic brain injury and shrapnel wounds, according to a news release from Building Homes for Heroes.
鈥淛ust one day, I thought everything was OK, and grenades started coming into my compound and a few other people were evacuated, and I was happy enough to where, my wounds weren鈥檛 as serious ... to where I wanted to get back to my guys,鈥� he said.
Francisco and his family have been living in Mariano Lake, and the closest Veteran鈥檚 Affairs hospital is in Gallup 鈥� 45 minutes away. Access to mental health treatment there is limited, he said. Often, he would be sent to the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 VA hospital to receive medical services, Kimberlyn Francisco said. Living in sa国际传媒官网网页入口 should make it easier for him to access health care.
Dustin Francisco said the move also will give his children more opportunities to participate in sports that he enjoyed growing up.
鈥淭here's a lot more opportunities here like basketball, volleyball, better schools,鈥� he said.
Chavez was on hand to watch her son receive the keys to his new house and said she is proud of her son and his service.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 have the words for it. It鈥檚 amazing,鈥� said Chavez.
