Ground Broken for Disabled Veteran's New Home

SAN ANGELO, TX—The Home Builders Association of San Angelo in partnership with Biggerstaff Homes and Operation Finally Home broke ground on their third San Angelo project on Friday morning.

Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputy, and retired U.S. Army Private First Class, Ian Rook, his wife Sarah and their son and daughter are the recipients of the mortgage-free home on Burlington Rd.

“It’s an incredible event,” Deputy Rook smiled. “I finally got to meet the people involved. I’ve heard names, but now I can put faces to names now. It was incredible to see everyone who showed up and is contributing to this. Every time we’re in this area we’ve come to see the lot. It’s really moving forward This is real. This is really happening. It means more than I can express to my family and I.”

The Rook family was surprised with the house by the same team from today’s ceremony during the 2018 San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo on Feb. 14.

Operation Finally Home has certain criteria they look for when selecting recipients for these homes. Part of that criteria, according to Project Manager Ronnie Lyles, focuses on soldiers who are 70% disabled or more.

“[Recipients] go through a very thorough vetting process,” Lyles said. “When they get to the point where they have been approved and presented to the builder, we have completely vetted them and made sure they are what we’re looking for which is somebody who wants a hand-up not a hand-out.”

While Deputy Rook recognizes he is worthy for this gift at 80% disability, he couldn’t help but think of people more deserving in his mind.

“I know other guys who have lost more and guys who aren’t here anymore,” Rook said while fighting away tears. “I have friends with missing limbs. I have friends who are in wheelchairs. It’s hard. We don’t do all of this to receive things or be thanked. It’s a calling. I feel lucky because I wake up every day and play with my kids and go to work and serve this community. I wish I could do more for those other guys.”

Rather than retiring on disability after serving two tours of duty in Afghanistan, Rook got his job as a Patrol Deputy with the TGCSO to continue to serve his community and country.

“He served two tours of duty overseas and was injured both times,” said Biggerstaff Homes Owner Mike Biggerstaff. “He came back and could’ve retired on disability, but he chose not to. He chose to go back into the workforce and continue working. Not only that, he’s a first responder. Those are the kind of [selfless] people that deserve what’s being presented today.

Deputy Rook’s selfless nature was not limited to just himself at the event, as all those involved were able to see the bigger picture in front of them.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” Biggerstaff said of being selected as the builder. “These people have put their life on the line. The signed on the dotted line that they were willing to give their life to protect our freedom. Those that come back who have suffered injury or trauma or wounded veterans, it’s our responsibility to make their lives as easy as we possibly can. That’s what this is all about.”

Construction on the new house is scheduled to begin in early May.

“Sometime at the beginning of next month they’ll start moving dirt and leveling it out,” Rook said with an emphatic grin. “It’ll be quick and fast from there.”

Operation Finally Home began in 2005 down in Houston and has since expanded to 36 other states and completed 144 projects with 90 other projects in the works.