HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Several construction projects were put on hold when the pandemic hit. One of those building crews decided rather than sitting at home they would go out and help a military veteran in need.
TWT Restaurant Design was supposed to be sawing away at a project for Mission BBQ, but when the pandemic hit the restaurant and construction team decided to shift their focus to a South Tampa backyard.
“They had a construction company that wanted to help veterans, and they needed a nonprofit to work through, and we jumped up and said, ‘we wanted to be the ones, and by the way, we have our first project for you,’” said Dave Winters with Black Dagger Military Hunt Club.
“By having us slow down a little bit, we were able to go forward with this project very quickly,” said Daniel Maguire with TWT.
The timing couldn’t have been more symbolic for the owner of the home, Brian Brennan.
“I’m just a regular guy, for them to come and help us out that’s tremendous,” said Brennan.
However, what Brennan won’t tell you, he’s not just a regular guy, he’s a hero. On May 7, 2008, the First Lieutenant lost both his legs during combat in Afghanistan, while serving with the 101st Airborne.
“The burden they have lifted off my wife and I to be able to accommodate us, its amazing,” said Brennan.
The old patio lacked ramps for his wheelchair as well as fencing, leaving no separation between the Florida wildlife and his young daughter.
“Woke up and was in a wheelchair, and there was like a fire, and I needed to get out with my wife and my daughter, if I was in my wheelchair, I would just fall,” said Brennan.
For every veteran like Brennan, there are dozens more with similar house-hold projects that could use a little help getting done.
“You might have a construction company, you might have a roofing company, if you have something to offer and you are slow during the COVID-19, here is a great opportunity to help veterans,” said Winters.
For more information on Black Dagger, go to www.blackdaggermhc.org.
