Triple-Amputee, Family Receive New Home
Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) | May 21, 2015 | by Diana Baldwin
Triple-amputee Rusty Dunagan insisted his new home include a flagpole a year ago when the plans were just lines drawn on sheets of paper.
Using what remains of his left arm and help from four men he served with in the U.S. Army, Dunagan raised an American flag on that flagpole after the new house was presented to his family Wednesday.
A U.S. Army flag also hangs proudly on the special pole.
"It was very emotional," Dunagan said sitting in his wheelchair in his new 4,300-square-foot home. "I am a died-hard patriot."
Rusty and Angie Dunagan and their five children woke up in their new home Thursday morning in Oklahoma County.
"It is just comfortable," Rusty Dunagan said. "It just feels like home."
The family was presented their specially adapted SMART Home, built through programs of the Gary Sinise Foundation and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Dunagan lost his legs and an arm in a 2010 land mine and bomb attack seven weeks after he arrived in Afghanistan, and after serving a yearlong tour in Iraq. He suffered serious infections and has had 30 surgeries.
The SMART Home is customized to ease daily challenges with features such as retractable cooktops, cabinets and shelving, all accessible by an iPad or iPhone.
The Dunagan house is the 17th one to be built for an injured veteran. By they end of the year, organizers anticipate having 35 homes finished or started.
Angie Dunagan was all smiles after her husband was presented the keys and iPad to the new house.
"I don't have to worry about him when he is left alone," she said. "When I go to the store and take the kids to the doctor, I don't have to be calling back and asking if he is OK or if he ran into something."
"It will give us a peace of mind," Rusty Dunagan said.
When asked what he likes most about the house, Rusty Dunagan laughed. The best thing, he said, is that the children will be on the opposite side of the ranch-style, country house.
"This is our last home, our last move," he said.
All-American dedication
The Dunagan family was escorted to their new home by the Patriot Guard Riders riding their motorcycles and carrying American flags. Two dozen American flags lined the freshly-planted front yard.
More than 150 people gathered in a tent on an unusual cool May day with the wind blowing during a ceremony as the new home was dedicated.
The Patriot Guard Riders stood at attention, lining the sidewalk with their flags throughout the ceremony.
"This was never in our wildest dreams," said Glenda Church, Rusty Dunagan's mother. "Oh my gosh. This is pretty awesome."
She reached over to pat her son's shoulder and hand him a tissue as the crowd stood clapping in his honor and for his service to his country.
Jim Bower, of Jim Bower Construction, told the Dunagans building this home was an honor and a pleasure.
"This is a big day for us," Bower said. "I am impressed about his service to his country."
Bower said Dunagan wanted to keep the cost of the light fixtures under budget so the money could go to help another veteran.
Billy Wagasy, director of programs and outreach for the Gary Sinise Foundation, told the friends, family and contributors Dunagan almost died that day serving his country.
"Rusty was pretty close to death and in a coma," Wagasy said. "Angie asked to put the phone up to him and said if he would make it home she promised to give him the son he wanted. A tear came down his face."
He made it home after two years of recovery and they had a baby girl 18 months ago.
Dunagan wiped another tear from his eye.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/05/21/triple-amputee-family-receive-new-home.html
