Former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ellis “Jerry” Majetich received the keys to his new, mortgage-free home on Veterans Day at Del Webb Nocatee in Ponte Vedra.
The home was donated by PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program, which provides mortgage-free homes to veterans injured during their military service and their families. This is the first Built to Honor home donated in a Del Webb community, which is designed for active adults ages 55 and older.
"We launched our Built to Honor program almost a decade ago as our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s heroes by doing what we do best: building incredible places where people can live their dreams," said PulteGroup President and Chief Executive Officer Ryan Marshall. "Our teams continue to enthusiastically embrace this program and remain steadfast in supporting its mission to meet the needs of returning military servicemen and women."
A procession of first responders and Nocatee residents joined Majetich and his wife Mary Ella as they saw their home for the first time during an unveiling ceremony at Del Webb Nocatee. The single-story home was designed specifically to meet all of Majetich’s needs.
“It is an honor for our team, along with the support of Building Homes for Heroes, and our trade partners and suppliers, to build this home for Sergeant Majetich in recognition of his service to our country,” said Tony Nason, president of PulteGroup’s Northeast Florida Division. “We hope this home will be a source of comfort, joy and a place to create wonderful memories.”
This is the second home dedicated in the greater Jacksonville area through PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program. The home is being awarded in partnership with Building Homes for Heroes, a national nonprofit organization committed to rebuilding lives and supporting men and women who were injured while serving in the armed forces.
“We are proud to partner with PulteGroup and their Built to Honor program to provide a home to Sergeant Majetich and his wife, Mary Ella,” said Building Homes for Heroes President and CEO Andy Pujol. “Sergeant Majetich has sacrificed so much to protect our freedom, and we couldn’t be happier to support them with a gift that will help them lead a better and brighter future that they never imagined. Together, we are making our communities and country a better place.”
For more information about PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program, go to builttohonor.org and follow on Facebook and Twitter.
Majetich joined the military out of Kennewick, Washington, in 1988 because he wanted to better his life while serving and protecting his country. He served for nearly 20 years, including a stint in the Marine Corps, before being honorably discharged in 2007.
While riding in a vehicle convoy as part of a large battalion, Majetich’s vehicle was struck by an IED, causing severe injuries. In the firefight that ensued, he was shot four times before being airlifted out for emergency care.
He suffered burns on more than one-third of his body, including his face and scalp, the loss of his ears and nose, right hand and fingers on his left hand to amputation, the removal of part of his intestines and stomach, a fractured spine, fractured left foot, and bullet wounds in his right shoulder and right leg. He also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury.
Since his initial injuries occurred, he has undergone more than 80 surgeries to date.
