A hero's home

BAKERSFIELD, CA - What better way to celebrate our independence than to welcome a local hero home. Lance Corporal Jeremiah Thein is in his new custom built, Bakersfield house made possible by the Wounded Heroes Fund and countless community donations.

The house has been over two years in the making. That's when Jeremiah lost his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Friday, he walked into his new home for the first time.

"This is crazy. This is amazing," said Thein as he entered his new home.

In May 2012, the Marine Lance Corporal, a double amputee, lie in a Walter Reed Hospital bed. He had just sacrificed himself for the rest of his unit in Afghanistan.

But, Bakersfield had his back. Through Wounded Heroes fundraisers, soon Jeremiah was helping break ground on a custom house.

On Friday morning, a proud, patriotic, packed tent came to welcome him home.

"It makes you proud to be an American and be part of Kern County, those values that we take forward," said Rep. Kevin McCarthy.

Wendy Porter, Executive Director of the Wounded Heroes Fund, handed Jeremiah the keys to his home. Once holding his family's future, Jeremiah got to see a community-wide labor of love. From the kitchen, backyard, laundry room, and swimming pool, it is a hero's home.

"The love and joy I am feeling right now, I want to give that to the next family that comes to Bakersfield, to the next amputee, or to the next veteran who decides he wants to move here," said Thein.

"There's a lot of love that goes into helping somebody. Its an honor to be there and do it, and the most rewarding deal is when he walks in and he's all smiles. I love it," said Jim Ward of Northwest Builders.

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A hero's home