Army Major Finds Family Expanded to About 300

Wounded Army veteran receives mortgage-free home
Tampa Tribune
BY ELAINE SPEER
Special Correspondent
Published: October 8, 2014

Army Maj. Robert Kilmartin, who suffers from combat-related traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder, and his family check out the pool at their new home in Riverview recently given them by Building Homes for Heroes. From left are Maddox; wife, Cristina; Shaylee, Devin, Taylor and the major.
ELAINE SPEER

RIVERVIEW – When Building Homes for Heroes gifts a house to a wounded veteran and his family, it does so in patriotic style.

On Sept. 27, U.S. Army Maj. Robert Kilmartin, his wife, Christina, and their four children were welcomed to their new home with all the celebration and pageantry fit for a combat-wounded soldier.

Full-sized American flags lined the parade route on Balm Riverview Road leading to the Kilmartin’s new home. The procession included Hillsborough County Sherrif’s Office motorcycle deputies, Riverview High School JROTC cadets, AVAST (Amputee Veterans of America Support Team) Color Guard, Alexander Keith Memorial Pipe Band from Dunedin, Patriot Guard of Vietnam Veterans and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue vehicles.

Approximately 300 supporters, including volunteers, veterans and active service personnel; members of local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops; and dignitaries from the military and state government crammed the Kilmartin’s new front yard and driveway to welcome the family home.

The patriotic festivities even included a fly-over of two vintage T-6 airplanes from the Kissimmee Air Museum.
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