Groundbreaking Ceremony for EM1 (NUC) Jeffrey Campbell, USN, Slated For Wednesday, May 11 in Duncansville, PA
Legendary Country Music Group The Oak Ridge Boys To Perform National Anthem at Ceremony
will break ground on its second specially adapted home in the state of
Pennsylvania, this time for local community member, EM1 (NUC) Jeffrey
Campbell, USN, on Wednesday, May 11 in Duncansville, Pennsylvania. To
honor Campbell’s selfless military service, Country Music Hall of Fame
members, The Oak Ridge Boys, will sing the National Anthem at the
groundbreaking ceremony. Community members are encouraged to attend to
show their support.
Campbell suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS) as a result of
prolonged exposure to unknown substances in his time in the Navy serving
as a nuclear electrician on the USS George Washington during the attack
on the USS Cole, and while stationed in the New York harbor shortly
after September 11, 2001. Due to the MS, Campbell has lost the use of
his legs and arms and is confined to a wheelchair.
The new home will meet Campbell’s unique needs, including special
features such as wider doorways and hallways, an accessible bathroom and
kitchen, flush thresholds, and other safety features.
Helping A Hero Central PA made a generous donation to Helping A Hero
to help fund the construction of this home. Helping A Hero completed its
first home for a local wounded veteran in Pennsylvania in 2013, located
in Harrisburg, for Retired Sergeant Dennis Leonard who lost his legs in
Baquba, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near a
vehicle he was driving.
Founded in 2006, Helping A Hero provides support for military
personnel severely injured in the War On Terror by providing specially
adapted homes for qualifying service members through partnerships made
with the builders, developers, communities, and the veteran of honor.
Helping A Hero strives to engage the community in providing services and
resources for our wounded heroes and their families. Additionally, the
non-profit organization provides additional support programs such as
marriage retreats, caregiver retreats, recreational activities,
emotional support, and financial support. The Helping A Hero Home
Program has awarded 100 severely wounded heroes in 22 states a specially
adapted home that addresses their physical needs.
In 2016, Helping A Hero was accredited by the Better Business Bureau
and applauded for meeting the Bureau’s ‘Standards For Financial
Accountability,’ going above and beyond the requirements of law to be a
transparent and accountable. View the accreditation here.
Helping A Hero will also sponsor the 2016 National Memorial Day Parade
in Washington, D.C. honoring our nation’s veterans and fallen heroes.
Campbell grew up in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania where he played
football, ran track, played in the orchestra, was active in his church,
and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Slippery Rock University where
he was an athletic trainer and vice president of the Rock Emergency
Medical Services. Jeff and his wife Aimee have four children: Benjamin
(16), Hannah (10), Noah (8), and Jonah (7). They are also expecting
again in December. Two of their children have special needs, which adds
to the family’s challenges.
The groundbreaking ceremony for EM1(NUC) Jeffrey Campbell, USN, is
open to the public and all community members are invited to attend.
“It’s always an honor for The Oak Ridge Boys to be a part of anything
honoring our veterans. We are very happy this opportunity came up and
look forward to it and meeting EM1 (NUC) Campbell and his family,” said
Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys, who will be present at the ceremony.
Join Helping A Hero May 11, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Fox Hollow Subdivision
154 Fox Hollow Dr. Duncansville, PA 16635. Look for the flags and
Helping A Hero signs to direct you to parking.
A BBQ luncheon will be provided immediately following the ceremony. RSVP to tx@helpingahero.org.
More information on Helping A Hero can be found at www.helpingahero.org.