groundbreaking ceremony on May 4 in the community of Aliana honored Purple Heart recipient Corporal Casey Owens, USMC (Ret.) and celebrated the start of a new home and a new  beginning for him. Thanks to the HelpingaHero.org Home Program, construction has begun on a beautiful new specially-adapted Mercedes Home in the Aliana community for Owens.

Casey grew up in Katy, and his family lives in the Sugar Land area, so this home will enable him to be close to friends and family who are crucial to his continued recovery and support.

Casey graduated from boot camp on Nov. 8, 2002. He continued training at the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton. Upon graduation from tow gunner school on Feb. 10, 2003, he was sent to Kuwait to join his unit: the 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment of the 1st Marine Division. Within three weeks, he was part of the spearhead marching to Baghdad. Once Saddam ’s regime had fallen, his unit moved south to Sajaf to complete a nine-month tour. In October 2003, they returned to the United States and began training other Marines in preparation for their future service in Iraq.

Owen’s unit deployed for a second tour in Iraq in August 2004 where they were stationed in the Al Anbar Province in the town of Husaybah. On Sept. 20, 2004, while responding to a wounded Marine (KIA), his vehicle struck two anti-tank mines, subsequently resulting in the loss of both of his legs. He was immediately airlifted to a field hospital where he was stabilized before being transferred to Landstuhl, Germany. His mother and sister were flown to Germany knowing Casey would likely receive the last rights and not make it back home. Fortunately, he survived and was MEDIVACed to Bethesda Naval Hospital for more surgeries. In addition to losing both legs (one above the knee and one below the knee), both of his lungs collapsed, he had a pulmonary embolism, a broken jaw and broken clavicle, numerous shrapnel wounds and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He c ontinued having more surgeries and received additional treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Brooke

“We are honored to partner with Mercedes Homes on the HelpingaHero.org Home Program as a way to show our deepest gratitude for the sacrifices of our veterans, ” said Paul Cheng of Aliana.

“This is a unique setting unlike any other development in the Houston area,” said Cheng. “Resort-style pools, parks and trails are some of development’s top amenities, but the $6 million state-of-the-art amenity center, The Club at Aliana, will be the central gathering place for all resident activities. ”

Another focal point of Aliana is the world-class Aliana Polo & Racquet Club featuring two championship polo fields, both recessed for optimum viewing, and one of the few lighted fields in the country for night-time play.

Aliana has easy access to major employment areas via the Grand Parkway and Westpark Tollway, with an easy commute to shopping, dining, entertainment and major corporate campuses. Located in Fort Bend County, Aliana is conveniently located near two of Houston ’s most prestigious golf courses: The Houstonian Golf & Country Club and Shadow Hawk Golf Club.

Mercedes Homes will build a 2,600-square-foot home that meets all the specially adapted needs of Owens. As a double amputee, Casey ’s home will be fully wheelchair accessible with a roll in shower, lower counters, flush floor transitions, widened doors, lowered appliances, etc., and will have four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

“Cpl. Casey Owens is a true American hero. He has battled back from a near fatal injury and has endured so much on his road to recovery, ” said Meredith Iler, national chairman, HelpingaHero.org Home Program. “We count it an honor to help this precious hero begin a new life in a brand new home where his ability to live independently will be maximized. ”  

Owens has received the following service-related medals: Purple Heart, Operation Iraqi Freedom Campaign, Rifle Marksman Badge, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon (Iraq), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation-Navy.