Hometown Heroes: 3 Inspiring Roofing Projects Honoring Veterans Across America

By Adam Cabrera. 

These stories from across the U.S. highlight individual acts of generosity, as veterans in Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina receive new roofs. 

A high-quality surprise in Pennsylvania 

In Freedom, Pennsylvania, the power of gratitude and giving back was heartily on display. Local Air Force veteran Scott Broge had been needing a new roof for quite some time. Scott applied for help through Owens Corning's National Roof Deployment Project, which pairs veterans with roofing companies willing to donate their services.  

Scott, whose been a candidate for this initiative for a long time, was surprised when he was finally selected. He recalls the moment he got the news from Joe Potocnik, the owner of JP Roofing, a local roofing company. His excitement was palpable, "I was kind of astonished, I didn't believe it at first," KDKA News. 

Joe’s company isn't just putting up a quick fix, they're installing one of the highest-quality roofs money can buy, — their way of giving back to those who served. This year JP Roofing already has plans to work on two more veteran's houses.  

"It's satisfaction to me to give back, especially to the veterans that have served our country. And when they are in critical need, I like to be there for them," Joe said. 

A long-awaited upgrade in Georgia  

In Kingsland, Georgia, another veteran was given relief. Holly Summerset, a retired Army veteran, had been living under a roof that hadn’t been replaced since 2004. Holly was suddenly faced with a staggering $10,000 cost to repair the structure. 

That’s when Chris Canipe, president of Model City Roofing, and his team stepped in to help. They learned about Holly’s situation through Purple Heart Homes, a non-profit dedicated to assisting veterans with housing issues. As part of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project, Chris’s team provided the labor, while Owens Corning provided the shingles, all at no cost to Holly. 

Completing this project was a personal honor for Chris since his father is also a retired veteran who served in the Army. This is the fourth time that Model City Roofing helped a veteran in need this year alone and Chris hopes they can do more in the future.  

"Thank you, I'm forever grateful,” Holly told WOKV.  

A veteran-owned business helps in North Carolina  

The last heartwarming story comes from Fayetteville, North Carolina, where the small veteran-owned business, PW Roofing, lent a hand to fellow Army veteran Daveion S. Bethel. After joining forces with Habitat for Humanity and the Roof Deployment Project, PW Roofing was able to put a brand-new roof over Daveion’s head. 

Robert Holdaway, the owner of PW Roofing, has a personal connection to this kind of work. As a veteran himself, and with a wife still on active duty, he knows firsthand the sacrifices military personnel make for their country. This project marked PW Roofing’s fifth roof replacement for local veterans. 

“This is one of the ways we help other veterans out that are in need,” Robert told ABC11. 

Original article and photo sources: KDKA News, WOKV, ABC11