NewsofDelawareCounty.com (Pa., USA)
Sgt. Pisey Tan lost his legs in Iraq. The Springfield-based McKee Group is helping to build him an accessible house.
RIDLEY - As millions of Americans were commemorating the exact time planes hit the World Trade Center five years ago, a local community was giving back to a wounded soldier who has made great sacrifices defending the nation.
Sgt. Pisey Tan welled up with emotion during a ground breaking ceremony Monday morning when construction officially began on a new home on Youngs Avenue in Ridley.
"I'm very humbled and blessed right now," said Tan, as his brother Dara Soun stood nearby.
The 25-year-old lost his legs last year in Iraq when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device.
The McKee Group of Springfield has partnered with Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit organization, to build an accessible house for Tan and his family.
"Comparing this day to the first day I saw him in the hospital, I never thought it would happen," said Soun, 21.
The young man has helped his older brother through treatment at the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.
When Tan came to visit their current home in Philadelphia's Olney section, Soun had to carry him upstairs because the residence does not have any bed or bathrooms on the first floor.
Now, Tan is learning to walk on prosthetic limbs, and was able to stand and walk at points during the ceremony.
"Me and him weren't that close growing up," said Soun. "This incident has brought us closer together."
The builder is also slated to receive materials from other Delaware County businesses and volunteer work from Williamson's trade school.
McKee group owner, Frank J. McKee, joined Congressman Curt Weldon (R-7), Pa. Senator Ted Erickson (R-26), local officials, and residents in commending Tan and his family.
"These two young men are fine examples of American heroes," said McKee. "You will be in here before Christmas of this year."
Tan first went to Iraq with the U.S. Army in 2003. He then went back to Iraq in 2005 with the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment. He returned home on Aug. 9, 2005.
For Tan, love of family and his country motivated his decision to join the military.
"I wanted to return a favor for what this country has done for my mother," said Tan.
His mother, Bo Moa, immigrated to the United States from Cambodia. Both Tan and his brother were born here. They lived in Virginia before moving to Pennsylvania.
Moa, and family friends Von and Lloyd Irwin, sat in the front row during speeches. Tan picked up a golden shovel with other guests and moved the first mounds of dirt to close the event.
Weldon gave Tan an American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol Building.
"You're an ordinary person who did extraordinary things," he told Tan.
Weldon also praised the company and other volunteers helping.
"This is what makes Delaware County great," Weldon said. "Here's an example of what one family has done, tying in with efforts nationwide."
Well-wishers thanked Tan and his family after the formal event ended. Mary Milewski, who has lived on the quiet street since childhood, gave a warm handshake to Dara Soun before heading out.
"I live three doors down from you," she said. "It's good to have you in the neighborhood."
RIDLEY - As millions of Americans were commemorating the exact time planes hit the World Trade Center five years ago, a local community was giving back to a wounded soldier who has made great sacrifices defending the nation.
Sgt. Pisey Tan welled up with emotion during a ground breaking ceremony Monday morning when construction officially began on a new home on Youngs Avenue in Ridley.
"I'm very humbled and blessed right now," said Tan, as his brother Dara Soun stood nearby.
The 25-year-old lost his legs last year in Iraq when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device.
The McKee Group of Springfield has partnered with Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit organization, to build an accessible house for Tan and his family.
"Comparing this day to the first day I saw him in the hospital, I never thought it would happen," said Soun, 21.
The young man has helped his older brother through treatment at the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.
When Tan came to visit their current home in Philadelphia's Olney section, Soun had to carry him upstairs because the residence does not have any bed or bathrooms on the first floor.
Now, Tan is learning to walk on prosthetic limbs, and was able to stand and walk at points during the ceremony.
"Me and him weren't that close growing up," said Soun. "This incident has brought us closer together."
The builder is also slated to receive materials from other Delaware County businesses and volunteer work from Williamson's trade school.
McKee group owner, Frank J. McKee, joined Congressman Curt Weldon (R-7), Pa. Senator Ted Erickson (R-26), local officials, and residents in commending Tan and his family.
"These two young men are fine examples of American heroes," said McKee. "You will be in here before Christmas of this year."
Tan first went to Iraq with the U.S. Army in 2003. He then went back to Iraq in 2005 with the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment. He returned home on Aug. 9, 2005.
For Tan, love of family and his country motivated his decision to join the military.
"I wanted to return a favor for what this country has done for my mother," said Tan.
His mother, Bo Moa, immigrated to the United States from Cambodia. Both Tan and his brother were born here. They lived in Virginia before moving to Pennsylvania.
Moa, and family friends Von and Lloyd Irwin, sat in the front row during speeches. Tan picked up a golden shovel with other guests and moved the first mounds of dirt to close the event.
Weldon gave Tan an American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol Building.
"You're an ordinary person who did extraordinary things," he told Tan.
Weldon also praised the company and other volunteers helping.
"This is what makes Delaware County great," Weldon said. "Here's an example of what one family has done, tying in with efforts nationwide."
Well-wishers thanked Tan and his family after the formal event ended. Mary Milewski, who has lived on the quiet street since childhood, gave a warm handshake to Dara Soun before heading out.
"I live three doors down from you," she said. "It's good to have you in the neighborhood."
2 comments:
This is America where people in the community help the needed individual and our heroes.
God bless America and her people
Pisey,
Very moving speeches, thank you. This is what America all about!!! We help each other and we defend our adopted country.
Post a Comment