Iraq war hero moves into new home in Tampa

Iraq war hero moves into new home in Tampa
Updated: Saturday, 19 Nov 2011, 9:37 PM EST
Published : Saturday, 19 Nov 2011, 9:37 PM EST

Sgt. Joel Tavera, 23, moved into his new Tampa home on Saturday.

TAMPA - On March 12, 2008 Sgt. Joel Tavera was serving his country in Iraq when tragedy struck.

He was riding in an armored Sports Utility Vehicle in Iraq when it was struck by five rockets. Three of his comrades were killed and Tavera himself was thought to be dead, but he survived.

The Queens, New York native lost both of his eyes, his right leg and four fingers. Tavera, 23, suffered severe head trauma and was burned over 60% of his body. His parents were told his injuries were some of the most severe any soldier had survived during the Iraq war.

On Saturday Joel, who was honored for his bravery with both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, received a brand new home in Tampa. A New York-based organization called ‘Building Homes for Heroes’ donated the home to Tavera.

“I keep on hearing people saying that people are forgetting about the soldiers,” Tavera said earlier this week while touring his new residence. “its organizations just like this that show us all that the soldiers have not been forgotten.”

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