Homes For Our Troops to Build First Home in Wisconsin
Homes For Our Troops to Build First Home in Wisconsin Save Email Print
Reporter: Michelle Riell
Email Address: mriell@nbc15.com

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Posted Wednesday, August 20 --- 3:30pm

A Wisconsin soldier who spent more than ten years fighting for the American dream is now being given the chance to live that dream.

Injured veteran Chuck Isaacson and his wife Brenda are having a home built for them, from the ground up, to solute their sacrifice.

It's not just any home.

It's being built through the organization "Homes for Our Troops." Their mission is to help severely disabled vets like Isaacson start a new life, in specially adapted home that will now accommodate a wheel chair.

Staff Sergeant Charles Isaacson says, "I was in my guard unit, we were hanging out after drill. I said I don't want to be sitting here, you know when I'm 38 years old saying I wish I would have gone active duty, I wish I would have done this, so I finished college and I went and enlisted." SSG Isaacson then re-classed as a helicopter mechanic and went on to serve 7 tours in Afghanistan and 1 in Iraq. SSG Isaacson says, "We were flying in Afghanistan when we ran into a freak snow storm. My aircraft suffered malfunction and one of the engines shut off and we fell from about 400 feet and crashed. I'm one of 14 survivors, 8 people died, my whole crew died." Isaacson underwent two surgeries in Germany and one in Washington D.C.

His wife Brenda Isaacson, maiden name Mockler, says, "I didn't' know it, but he was supposed to come home in 5 days, I found that out when I got to Germany and that in itself was really hard, knowing 5 days from now you could have been home."

SSG Isaacson adds, "My right leg works, somewhat, you know, I can drive a truck with it, um, so I don't have to use hand controls, but my left one doesn't."

Now the Isaacson's are being honored for their sacrifice and given the chance, as close as possible, to get back to the life they had before the injury, in a new home, that is wheel chair accessible.

SSG Isaacson says, "All hallways are going to be 4 feet, all doorways are going to be 3 feet, there will be no stairs. I'll have an elevator taking me to the basement."

Homes for Our Troops raises money through donations and also relies on companies like Brookstone Homes and United Forums Incorporated to donate labor and materials. Frank Knipfer is with United Forums Inc. and says, "These guys are super and I appreciate it, I'll tell you that and I'm just proud to be part of this."

And once the home is finished, there is no mortgage to pay, which gives the Isaacson's a fresh start. SSG Isaacson says, "I can't wait to mow my lawn, I'm already looking at riding lawn mowers to get, a zero turn with the power deck you know! Brenda adds, "It's something I'm looking forward to, so, to just live, to be normal again. Yeah, to have a house."

Isaacson says he still has a lot of fight left in him and that if he weren't injured he'd go back in a heartbeat. Homes for Our Troops is still looking for financial donations and donations of labor and building materials and services for this project. If you'd like to help just log onto www.homesforourtroops.org.

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Posted by: Army Wife Location: Clarksville, TN on Aug 30, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Anon, I would dare to say that you with your freedom of speech, have not been awake all night waiting for a knock at the door, or having the phone ring with the life changing news that your friends husband has been killed. Yes, this is what we have chosen however, if we had not made this choice you would not have been able to sit at your kitchen table and write such stupid remarks! Keep in mind when you make comments like this, those who have carried the casket of their friends, endured the reality of war and made the choice to protect America are reading this! Thanks to all that choose to support our Military they need and deserve whatever is given to them. NSDQ!

Posted by: A Deployed Soldier Location: Afganistan on Aug 27, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Anon, save your excuses. An apology would've been more appropriate, but it seems you lack the intestinal fortitude to accept responsibility for your own actions. Your ignorant comments were passed on overseas by those who took offense. We'll always continue to defend this great nation and the right to free speech, despite the fact that there may be a few people like yourself. You will never feel the same pride and honor we have for our fallen comrades, wounded warriors, and our families and friends who support us. We serve voluntarily despite a few brash individuals who think their unpatriotic opinions should be posted for everyone else to read while the quiet professionals keep them safe. My reasons for anonymity are my own, but the apathy and cowardice of Anon are now public knowledge, even if your name isn't. Sleep well tonight, we'll keep our country safe. All we ask for in return is the respect due to our Soldiers and their families. My gratitude to all who responded to ANON.

Posted by: Anon Location: Madison on Aug 25, 2008 at 03:36 PM
I am very pleased to see that there are still people out there willing to help the soldiers. What I said I did not mean, I was just testing people thats all. God bless all of you who support the troops. Anon out!

Posted by: Tricia Location: Fort Campbell KY on Aug 23, 2008 at 09:15 AM
The fact that this ________ wasn't brave enough to actually put his name to such an incredibly stupid comment is proof that he wouldn't have even 1% of the guts to do the job that our military does every day. He is not worth the time or effort in worry about or thinking that he speaks for normal, intelligent people. NSDQ.

Posted by: Cyndi Location: USA on Aug 22, 2008 at 10:15 PM
No wonder you're "Anon"...you should be ashamed of yourself. This is the home of the free BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE. If you can't stand behind our American soldiers, perhaps you should try standing in front of them. I am sickened by your ignorance and heartless comments. It's "a personal problem" that he was injured? You clearly have a demented way of looking at things; and certainly cannot begin to imagine the "personal problems" that becoming a paraplegic has brought his way. You're an absolute embarassment to American ideals and what this country stands for. Chuck and Brenda's fortitude is remarkable. Words like "freedom", "justice", and "democracy" are not common concepts; on the contrary, they are rare. People are not born knowing what these are. It takes enormous and, above all, individual effort to arrive at the respect for other people that these words imply. Maybe one day you'll get there...

Posted by: Tisha Location: Sun Prairie on Aug 22, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Anyone that thinks that people in the military feel entitled never spent time in the service, in a VA hospital or with a homeless veteran. The sacrifice is all on the soldier and their families. Thanks Chuck AND Brenda for making that sacrifice.

Posted by: Gary on Aug 22, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Anon, I am not sure if I can get away with calling you an IDIOT on here so I won’t. What you said is so idiotic I can not believe it. You sound like the typical liberal who is jealous of what this couple is getting. This great man almost gave his life for this country and YOU. You don’t think they might read what you wrote, or is it that you just don’t care. I wish I knew what made a turd like you type something like this. And I also wish you had the guts to do what this young man has done. Serve your country! But I can tell by your post you only have the guts to sit at your keyboard and criticize this Great man and his wife.

Posted by: KJE Location: De Pere, WI on Aug 22, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Come on Anon... This guy nearly gave is life for your freedom and protection (and idiocy). Not only is this an insult to Chuck, but also to everyone else who either is serving or has served for their country.

Posted by: Joel on Aug 22, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Anon-I am a soldier and I don't feel that I am entitled to anything. I do feel that I have earned some respect, but no more than any person, regardless of profession, that tries to make the US a better place. Yes, we do have a volunteer military. Isn't it great that we have citizens willing to selflessly serve rather than have to force people into service? Getting injured is a personal problem, very personal. But it affects more than just the individual. Part of what makes our country great is that people like those volunteering, take on personal problems and create solutions. The bottom line seems to be exactly what the previous poster wrote, there are Americans who value selfless service and are willing to donate their time and money to help soldiers with personal problems to live a better life.

Posted by: Unbelievable... Location: Madison on Aug 22, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Anon...you are what's wrong with this country. The Isaacson's have been through hell and back...and you have the audacity to make a comment like this? Shame on you. Chuck, thanks for your service and all you've been through. You deserve this great honor, so be proud. And do your best to ignore ignorant comments from people like "Anon."

Posted by: AgainstAnon Location: Madison, WI on Aug 22, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Hey there Mr. Anon. What the heck is wrong with you? Are you so pig headed that you think that soldiers actually think that they are entitled to something? Do you really think that they want to go over there, get jacked up, and then come home looking for handouts. You should be ashamed of yourself for think that. You're right, they choose to sign up to do this because sorry people like yourself don't!! And to think that it is a personal problem for them to get hurt. Do you think that these guys are playing chicken with IEDs or something. Oh no, maybe just a big game of truth or dare. Thank you Vets. This guy doesn't have the guts to do what you are doing.

Posted by: Proud To Be An American Location: Wisconsin on Aug 21, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Anon- This veteran and his wife did not feel entitled. An organization felt it was their responsiblity to help injured veterans. You should thank God for people like Chuck Isaacson. It's men and women like him who give you the freedom to write you ignorant comments.

Posted by: Anon Location: Madison on Aug 21, 2008 at 07:52 PM
With nothing but respect it seems like all soldiers have this idea that they are entitled to something just because they served in the military. Hey no one forced them to go into the military they chose to go in themselves. If they were to get injured in the process of being in the service it sounds like a personal problem! I would like to say thank you to all of the people who volunteer their efforts and materials in this project. But come on no Mortgage! He is already getting a house built for him for free!

Posted by: JB on Aug 21, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Too bad this man had to have his legs crippled before we offered to help him and his family. If anyone knows the family of a service person, you could do such simple things like offer child care, lawn mowing, house repair, etc. Supporting our troops should mean more then tieing a yellow ribbon on a tree. Get out and give a hand.

Posted by: amazed Location: dane county on Aug 21, 2008 at 07:54 AM
The man is a hero, and he deserves all the help we can give him. My wife and I are going to look into helping in some way - volunteer, donate, whatever. Anything we can do to say thank you to one of America's finest.

Posted by: beg2differ on Aug 21, 2008 at 06:43 AM
Sign me up. I can use a hammer and I can paint pretty good, just don't ask my husband! I think you deserve all the help you can get and I hope I can help in the process. Thank you.

Posted by: Ethan Location: Coffeeville AL on Aug 20, 2008 at 05:26 PM
This is great! The troops really deserve this. Somethimes it seems noone appreciates them, but now I guese I've been proven wrong.

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