Community rebuilds home for veteran in time for the holidays
John Holaday was taken from his old house due to unsafe living conditions. The community came together to give him a new home. Author: Sarah Jones Updated: 9:35 AM EST December 27, 2020
MUNCIE, Ind. Anticipation filled the air hours before Vietnam veteran John Holaday was set to walk into his rebuilt home.
Neighbors who had donated decorations and linens stopped by to see the house before the big reveal.
One Muncie neighbor looked up at a painting of an eagle that hung above the living room. She said she had donated it to Holaday because her husband passed and she wanted him to enjoy it.
Posted By: JJ Hayes December 23, 2020 @ 3:29 am Blogs, JJ Hayes Show Page
Today’s Star Spangled Salute honors 77-year old Vietnam Veteran John Holaday. 5 years ago, John was scammed by a contractor who took him for all he had. John’s home fell into disrepair because the job was never finished. It left John with no power, water or sewer. Finally, after 5 very long years, someone realized how John had been living and friends, neighbors and strangers stepped in to help. For the last couple of months, reconstruction on the house brought it back to better than it was and the other day John walked into his new home filled with his Army memorabilia, photos, and Christmas presents. John couldn’t hold back the tears of joy saying he never thought getting his house fixed could happen. Enjoy your home John and THANK YOU for your service.
Dec 22, 2020 / 10:44 PM EST
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) John Holaday, a 77-year-old Vietnam veteran who lived without power and water for more than a year, has a new home.
Volunteers led by students from the Muncie Area Career Center, the Delaware County Veteran’s Service Office and some of the city’s contractors, like Muncie Masonry and Concrete, rebuilt his house from the ground up.
Holaday shared his gratitude to everyone involved in an emotional interview on Tuesday.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Holaday said. “It’s a blessing everybody went that extra mile for me.”
He shared the moment with family members, who were able to reunite with him for the first time in years.
A Home for Holaday: Community rebuilds home for veteran in time for the holidays
John Holaday was taken from his old house due to unsafe living conditions. The community came together to give him a new home. Author: Sarah Jones Updated: 9:35 AM EST December 27, 2020
MUNCIE, Ind. Anticipation filled the air hours before Vietnam veteran John Holaday was set to walk into his rebuilt home.
Neighbors who had donated decorations and linens stopped by to see the house before the big reveal.
One Muncie neighbor looked up at a painting of an eagle that hung above the living room. She said she had donated it to Holaday because her husband passed and she wanted him to enjoy it.
I never believed this could happen : Muncie veteran gets new home for Christmas Charlotte Stefanski, Muncie Star Press
MUNCIE, Ind. Vietnam combat veteran John Holaday had waited 67 days to see his new home, and once he pulled into the driveway, which was lined with friends and neighbors on Tuesday afternoon, he couldn t hold back the tears.
The crowd gave the 77-year-old words of encouragement as he walked to his front door, some saying, Welcome home, John, or thanking him for his service.
Holding him steady, Nate Jones, the Delaware County Veterans Affairs officer, asked, Ready to do this, John? We ve been waiting for a while right?