Local Army Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient Gets Keys To New Home With Mortgage Paid In Full [VIDEO]
LIVONIA (WWJ) - Thanks to help from Military Warriors Support Foundation and Citizens Bank, a local military hero is getting a new home with the mortgage paid in full.
After the September 11 terrorist attacks, John Blizinski of Livonia was inspired to serve his country. For the past 7 years, the U.S. Army Staff Sergeant served as a combat medic. During a deployment to Afghanistan, he received combat related injuries and was forced into medical retirement from the Army.
The Purple Heart recipient said returning to civilian life and getting a home near family is wonderful news.
"Honestly, it's just a huge load off our shoulders. It's been a rough couple years," Blizinski told WWJ's Laura Bonnell. "This is the beginning of our life, you know, post-military."
A military Veteran is surprised with a mortgage free home, furniture & more. #militaryhero #purpleheart @WWJ950 pic.twitter.com/wcHKzljFPP
— Laura Teicher Bonnell (@LauraTbonnell) May 7, 2016
While Citizens Bank paid the mortgage on the new home, Blizinski, his wife Nicole and their 2-year-old son LJ were also surprised with furniture and gift cards to buy anything they still need to start their new life.
"Having that security and that place to make our home and to call our home is just unbelievable," he said.
Some of the surprise items for a military Vet. Also his mortgage free home. @CitizensBank @WWJ950 #militarywarriors pic.twitter.com/0CPphIULxj
— Laura Teicher Bonnell (@LauraTbonnell) May 7, 2016
But the couple is most excited about being able to provide a life of stability for their son.
"I guess the silver lining to all of this is that if I were able to stay in the military, you know, my son every two or three years would have to move and he'd be in another state and another school and a new set of friends and all that," said Blizinski. "So, the silver lining to all of this is now he will grow up around his family and friends and not have to continually move schools and make new friends. So, it's kind of a blessing in disguise that now he'll be able to know his grandparents and his aunts and uncles."
Coming home is specialComing home is special. For Staff Sergeant John Blizinski and his wife Nicole, we're making it a dream come true.
Posted by Citizens on Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Citizens Bank Michigan President Rick Hampson said they were glad to help one of our country's heroes.
"The employees did everything from painting and cleaning to renovating the entire yard, it really needed to be re-landscaped. So, there were over 100 of our colleagues in southeast Michigan that volunteered their time," he said.
On Saturday, the family was handed the keys to their new home.