In a heartfelt ceremony on Friday morning, U.S. Army Specialist Curtis Rowe, his wife Lisa, and their daughter received the keys to a brand‑new, mortgage‑free home in Justin, Texas. The gift was made possible through a partnership among the nonprofit Building Homes for Heroes, Hillwood Communities and local builder Highland Homes, part of an ongoing effort to honor veterans who have given so much for their country and community.
Rowe’s service and sacrifice
Rowe enlisted in the Army in 2007 from Sacramento, California, and served more than seven years as a cavalry scout. He completed two combat deployments—one to Iraq (2007‑2008) and another to Afghanistan (2010‑2011). While in Iraq, he survived multiple improvised explosive device blasts and small‑arms fire, resulting in a traumatic brain injury that caused vision impairment and hearing loss. In Afghanistan, a fall from a patrol tower severely injured his left hip. He later endured a vehicle accident in 2021 that required amputation below the knee of his right leg, leaving him reliant on a wheelchair for much of his daily life.
Rowe’s decorations include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Combat Action Badge, among others.
Giving back
Despite his injuries, Rowe remains active in the veteran community. He volunteers to help fellow service members adjust to life‑altering physical and mental injuries and trains as an adaptive athlete, demonstrating resilience and a commitment to service beyond the battlefield.
The home and its impact
The mortgage‑free residence is designed to support Rowe’s continued advocacy work while providing a stable, permanent place for his family to thrive. The home’s location in southern Denton County places the family within a supportive community that values both faith and family.
Building Homes for Heroes has recognized numerous veterans in the region, including projects in Northlake in December 2025 and the Harvest community in September 2025. The organization aims to deliver its 500th mortgage‑free home in Northlake this December, underscoring a broader commitment to honoring those who have served.
Community response
“This Veterans Day, we’re keeping our promise to stand by those who’ve served,” said Andy Pujol, founder and CEO of Building Homes for Heroes. “Specialist Rowe has given so much to our country, and it’s an honor to give him and his family a permanent place to call home.” Local residents and officials praised the initiative, noting its alignment with the community’s values of faith, family, and individual liberty.
The ceremony highlighted the collaborative spirit of nonprofit groups, developers, and the Justin community in supporting veterans. As the city continues to grow, projects like this reinforce a shared commitment to caring for those who have defended the nation’s freedoms.
Original reporting: Cross Timbers Gazette — read the source article.
