LEXINGTON, Ky (LEX 18) — The man cave in the garage is perfect. Even comes with a mounted TV! “I’m liking that so far,” said Specialist Shawnne Springman, a retired Army and National Guard veteran.
Springman and his family moved into their new Lexington home this afternoon, following a ceremony to welcome them to the neighborhood. For the last eight years, JP Morgan Chase, and the Building Homes for Heroes program have teamed up to build, or rebuild, more than 1,200 homes for veteran who suffer from PTSD and continue to battle other emotional and physical challenges associated with their active military service. Springman’s PTSD, which led to bouts of depression and anxiety, nearly cost him his marriage.
“People don’t realize, PTSD doesn’t just affect the veteran, it affects their family too,” said Shawnne’s wife Jaime.
Shawnne, also talked about seeing “shadow people” in the corners of his eyes in the years following his active stint. He served during the six years that followed 9-11, and an additional four years in the National Guard. “My company commander said, ‘this will be the generation that’s gonna go to war.’ …And sure enough, it was.”
He wasn’t the same after returning, and knows many of his fellow veterans have experienced similar issues.
“I wish this (home program) could be for every veteran out there,” he said. “Unfortunately that’s not the case, but there is hope for other vets out there, and that’s the biggest thing.”
You could see hope on the faces of each member of the Springman family when they stood outside that home on Friday afternoon. They have a renewed hope, because JP Morgan Chase is picking up the payments on their new lease on life… and then there’s that man cave in the garage!
“That’ll be his favorite part of the whole house!” Jaime said.
As it should be. He’s earned at least that much.
