SSG Brown accepts house from Helping a Hero, Breland Homes
At a “Welcome Home Ceremony,” SSG Michael Brown, his wife Kim and their daughter Alyssa accepted ownership of a new, adaptive home in Crossings at River Landing. CONTRIBUTED
Harvest, Huntsville, Madison, Madison County Record, Monrovia, News, Unincorporated Madison County, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
3:26 pm Sunday, October 16, 2022

SSG Brown accepts house from Helping a Hero, Breland Homes

MADISON – A local veteran’s family has a new place to call home.

A “Welcome Home Ceremony” honored Staff Sergeant or SSG Michael Brown and revealed his new home in the Crossings at River Landing community. Brown served and sacrificed in the U.S. Army.

Brown, his wife Kim and daughter Alyssa have moved into their adaptive home.

In 2021, Louis and Patti Breland, owners of Breland Homes, partnered with the Helping A Hero Foundation to construct adaptive homes without a mortgage for two Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipients, both amputees from North Alabama. (256today.com)

In June, Army Sgt. 1st Class Scott Barkalow and his wife Tina moved into their adaptive home in Athens.

On Oct. 5, Meredith Iler, founder of the Helping a Hero Home Program, presided over the ceremony and said the new homes are a way to say, “Thank you,” to these wounded veterans.

Grammy-award winner Lee Greenwood, national ambassador for the Helping a Hero Foundation, joined local veterans’ groups and elected state and county officials to welcome SSG Brown’s family to their new home in Madison. Greenwood sang the opening song for his tours, “Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Flies.”

The ceremony opened with a color guard, “Pledge of Allegiance,” and prayer, followed by “American Idol” contestant Maddye Trew with her rendition of “The National Anthem.”

Floorplans in adaptive homes have wider doorways, walk-in showers with a bench and shower wand and other features adapted for convenience and safety, Iler said.

For the first time, Helping a Hero built a home for an active-duty service member, Iler said. Until eight years ago, active-duty personnel were prohibited from accepting gifts of more than $250. Helping a Hero worked with the Department of Defense and U.S. Congress members for legislation to allow home construction for wheelchair-bound individuals, amputees and others who need adaptive housing.

“The love and support I received taught me a powerful lesson that reshaped me into the man I am today. Trust me when I tell you, this house is a much-needed blessing and will pre-empt the worries I have had from this day forward,” Brown said. (256today.com/hero-helped-wounded-vet-family-welcomed-to-adaptive-home)

Special guests included Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth; Louis and Patti Breland, who own Breland Homes; Lee and Kim Greenwood; Meredith Iler, Founder of Helping A Hero home program; and Dale Strong, Chairman of Madison County Commission.

For more information, visit helpingahero.org or Facebook/American Legion Post 229, Madison, Alabama.

Also on The Madison Record
Madison Senior Center welcomes stray rooster and names him ‘Cluck Norris’
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Say hello to ‘Cluck Norris’
Gregg Parker 
October 15, 2025
MADISON – Madison Senior Center loves to welcome new members. However, they never expected to welcome a recent addition to their flock. In September, ...
Main Street Madison puts public input into plans for downtown development
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
October 15, 2025
MADISON - Exciting times are ahead for downtown Madison thanks to a newly formed organization. Main Street Madison presented preliminary plans for dow...
‘Celebrate Madison’ to channel community spirit, pride
A: Main, Events, Madison County Record, ...
The free event will be held Oct. 23 at Toyota Field
Gregg Parker 
October 15, 2025
MADISON – The atmosphere at “Celebrate Madison” promises an upbeat night as residents give/take a good dose of pat-onthe- back praise. On Oct. 23, Cel...
Madison Witches Ride to return for downtown antics on Oct. 19
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
October 15, 2025
MADISON – In a fun ride, roll and stroll, the Madison Witches Ride will feature festive local witches of all sorts spreading Halloween cheer & throwin...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker brings tour to Blue Apple Books on Oct. 21
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
October 15, 2025
MADISON – Among October activities at Blue Apple Books, author Jen Hatmaker’s visit is set for Oct. 21. Hatmaker’s memoir, “Awake,” was released in Se...
Vote now for Madison’s first “Pup Mayor” election
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Staff Reports 
October 15, 2025
MADISON - The nominations are in and the candidate pool for Madison’s first “Pup Mayor” election are available for voting. The newly formed Main Stree...
Tootsie Roll 5K and Fun Run returns Nov. 1
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Proceeds benefit the special education program at Madison City Schools
By JOHN PECK MCS Public Relations Manager 
October 15, 2025
MADISON - Hey all you runners and walkers out there. The Tootsie Roll 5K and 1-mile Fun Run is about to roll again in Madison. Sign up now for the Nov...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *