Operation Finally Home Breaks Ground for Waukesha Home

On Saturday, shovels hit the dirt. A well-deserving family in Waukesha will get a home mortgage-free. The Davis family's home will be the 4th house built in Wisconsin by Operation Finally Home.

The one-story house won't be finished for nine months. Between the ameneties and modifications, the home would have cost around $450,000, but trades will donate their time, and the rest will be donated for U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Joe Davis and his family.

"It's a completely free home for a wounded war hero. and it's done basically through the support of the building trades. it's done from the support of the community through donations," said David Belman, President Belman Homes.

Belman has worked on other Operation Finally Home projects, and donated the land for the Davis'.

"It's a lot of mixed emotions. It's hard to put it into words -- just a lot of emotions," said Davis.

"We keep looking at each other like, 'Is this happening? Is this really happening?" said Carrissa Davis, Joe's wife.

The family, and others involved in the project broke ground first, and then the excavator was brought in. It dug the first hole for the family's house.

At just 28 years old, Joe was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Doctors believe it was a direct result of the traumatic brain injuries he endured while in service.

"At a young age he has trouble even navigating, doing steps. they needed a home that would meet their needs," said Belman.

To the davis family, and for Joe especially, what will fill this lot is more than accessable living.

"I'm looking forward to this being our forever home a place where the kids can grow up and they have a space to run around and we can just share in family time," said Carrissa Davis.

"Home is great. I think a lot of times we take it for granted. What home really is until you're away for a year and in some place like the mountains of Afghanistan or the streets of Iraq where there is no cover or there is no home and often wonder if you're going to get to come back. So when you come back it's you're really thankful. It means a lot. Thank you to everyone that's been involved in this project," said Joe Davis.