GUNTER TX--It is a 342 mile drive from Sgt. Levi Wilson's hometown of San Angelo, Texas to the lot of land near Gunter where his new home will soon be built, but Sgt. Wilson traveled much further than that to get here.

"January 18th 2008 is when I got hurt, I got blown up by an IED there in Taji Iraq," said Wilson.

Wilson suffered a broken back along with several other major injuries.
After years of recovery, Sgt. Wilson learned just last week that he was chosen to receive a new home built specifically for him, at the Bridges at Preston Crossings near Gunter.

"It is a start to a life, I couldn't even dream better," said Wilson.

Wilson was one of two veterans honored at a ceremony Wednesday morning, at the Bridges golf club. 5 lots in all have been set aside for disabled vets in the Bridges, thanks to the owner of the development, Dallas based blue green communities, and an organization dedicated to getting houses for disabled veterans called "operation finally home".

"So we are going to put 5 families in the amazing community where they can raise their families and retire and just get on with their lives," said Daniel Vargas of Operation Welcome Home.

Dan Koscher is the president and CEO of Blue green communities.

"We are honored to work with operation finally home, it is such a great opportunity," said Koscher.

For Sgt. Wilson and his wife, the opportunity comes as a result of dedication and hard work.

There are thousands of wounded veterans, so the program chooses soldiers who distinguish themselves after an injury to receive a new home. Wilson and his wife both earned college degrees while he was in the hospital; work done in addition to his already grueling physical rehabilitation.

"I got hurt but I never stopped fighting, I just kept fighting and in 6 months I could walk again and they told me if I ever walked again it would be at least 15 months," said Wilson.

Wilson is walking again, surveying the spot that will soon be his home, but he says if it were possible, he would rather be back walking patrol with his unit.

"Honestly if I could take it all back I would if I could be back in Iraq with my guys I would do that any day over me getting a house," said Wilson.