'I'm not a hero'
ROSEBURG, Ore. -- A Roseburg veteran is getting his home and landscaping completely remodeled, and none of it is costing him a dime, thanks to the Rebuilding Homes for Heroes.
Ted Paillette was a Navy Corpsman stationed with the Marine Corps in Korea.
When Paillette returned home, he says that he wasn't really recognized for his service. Now, he says that's completely changed.
The community is rallying around Paillette in order to remodel his home.
The Umpqua Valley Homebuilders Association is completely redoing Paullette's home, and it's all free.
The Paillettes' are getting new decks in both the front and back, landscaping done throughout their yard and even a new heat pump.
They will move into a hotel on August 23 free of charge, and all of their meals will be paid for during their stay.
This is the first year that the homebuilders association has done the program, and Paillette humbly says that he doesn't know why they chose him. "I was stunned that I was picked. I know they say it's for heroes, but I ain't never considered myself a hero," said Ted. "I was just doing my job. I guess everybody says that, but that's what we were doing, doing what we were trained to do."
The homebuilders association thought he was worthy: Paillette's son filled out an application without telling him, and it beat out 21 others for the program. It's no small wonder it did, as Paillette was a POW and a Purple Heart recipient.
Construction on Paillette house begins next week, and he says that he can't wait.
He says that everyone involved is giving him everything he's asked for and more, and he can't even begin to express how grateful he is. "I can't thank them enough. I don't know that I deserve it. They picked me, but I don't know why they picked me. They did, and like I said, I'm not a hero."
While Paillette's house is getting new kitchen appliances, a fresh coat of paint and some serious yard work, he says that he's most excited about the air conditioning.
