Cookeville veteran who lost home in tornado gets help from A Soldier's Journey
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Cookeville veteran who cared for a little girl that passed away during the March tornadoes is now getting a helping hand.
Luke and Amy Carty were forced to buy a new home after the storm hit their Putnam County neighborhood, but they say they’re just grateful they survived.
The couple received important repairs Sunday that could keep them safe from future storms as well.
Dozens of volunteers from A Soldier's Journey came out to the Carty’s home to help with roof repairs, calling it a good deed for a good person.
"He, unfortunately, lost his home in the tornado, purchased this home, and it needed a new roof," Salvador Cetrone with A Soldier's Journey said. "He wasn't financially able to do that so a group of us from the foundation got together and volunteered."
While this group works on homes all the time, this project was a bit different.
Luke is like family, one of their own already. He’s a veteran and fellow member of A Soldier's Journey.
A Soldier's Journey builds cost-free homes for wounded veterans in the most need.
"We took the time because Luke and Amy both are quite amazing human beings,” says Cetrone.
This home replaces the one the Carty's lost on March 3rd in Putnam County, a terrible night for their neighborhood.
So many lives were lost, including little Hattie Collins. Her father says she loved to be held, and Luke took her in his arms as she took her last breaths.
"It was the worst time, it was very difficult, we stuck together as much as we could,” Luke said. “There’s a lot of people that survived that night that should not have made it, it makes no logical sense the Lord did miracles in protecting the people that he did and helping to heal the people that were severely wounded and injured.”
As the community continues to rebuild, Luke is focusing on the blessings, like having a group of people willing to help him with his new place.
“There's almost 30 people here,” Luke said. “We just don't know what to say.”
