‘This is a new start’: Army veteran gifted mortgage-free home in Naperville
When Tomee Phetsisouk walked into his new, mortgage-free home in Naperville with his family Wednesday, it was all he could do to get three words out. But he said them over and over and over.
“Oh, my God,” he said.
He was eventually able to muster up some other thoughts, but his reaction was understandable. The U.S. Army veteran, who was nearly killed more than 15 years ago while deployed in Iraq, walked into a fully furnished house full of personal touches designed for him, his two teenage daughters and his 73-year-old mother.
“This is just incredible, and I’m so thankful,” he said. “It’s awesome.”
The house was provided to Phetsisouk and his family through a partnership between PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program and Building Homes for Heroes — a group that builds and gifts homes and completes home modifications for veterans, emergency first responders and their families.
Phetsisouk learned about the home during a surprise reveal in May. What he thought was an in-person interview as part of the application process turned out to be a groundbreaking event for his new home.
“Four months ago, my life changed,” he said. “This is a new start for the girls.”
Hundreds of people who were involved in the construction of the home lined the sides of Tailshot Road as Phetsisouk and his family arrived in a parade that included an honor guard and emergency vehicles.
After presentations and group photos, Phetsisouk and his family got their first look at the inside of the house.
“I’m in shock, I was expecting an empty house,” Phetsisouk said. “They went above and beyond. I don’t know if it’s hit me yet that I’ll sleep in my bed for the first time and wake up knowing that it’s actually home.”
The four-bedroom house was fully furnished and personalized to their needs and wants, including a first-floor master suite for his mom, Kay. Family photos lined the walls, and the pantry and refrigerator were fully stocked. Art from their favorite movies, including “Star Wars,” and a big “Phetsisouk Family Theater” sign greeted them upstairs in a loft theater room.
“That just shows they cared, they took the time to get to know us, and they detailed everything for our personalities,” Phetsisouk said. “It’s amazing and I’m still trying to soak it all in.”
His daughters, Taya, 18, and Teagan, 14, were equally excited. Probably more, based on the screams from each discovery in their bedrooms.
“This is literally amazing, I love this so much,” Teagan said as she ran around her room, hugging anyone who would stand still long enough. “It’s overwhelming.”
The bedrooms were decorated to reflect each girl’s respective style and filled with presents, gift cards and personal touches.
“When I first saw my room, I was touched, because it was like (the builders and designers) actually wanted to know me and literally made my room for my personal interests,” Taya said. “What they did for us was just pure generosity, and it means a lot to me.”
The family currently lives in St. Charles, and both girls will finish the school year at St. Charles East High School, where Taya is a senior and Teagan a freshman. Teagan will transfer to Plainfield East High School next year.
An Elgin native and graduate of Elgin High School, Tomee Phetsisouk said he was inspired to join the army after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He served for over nine years, including two combat deployments to Iraq.
During his second deployment, his vehicle was struck by an IED. Phetsisouk suffered severe head trauma, back and neck injuries and shrapnel wounds throughout his body.
Phetsisouk fought to stay in the military, but was medically retired with a 100% disability rating in November 2012. He still deals with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, tinnitus and severe hearing loss.
His military honors include the Army Commendation Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Combat Infantry Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal with four Campaign Stars, and several other distinguished awards.
“Now I get to watch my girls grow,” Phetsisouk said. “I was given a second chance, and I’m gonna make the best of it. I’m going to live for the guys I lost.”