Wounded veteran presented with new home, mortgage free

After losing both legs while fighting in Afghanistan, a Minnesota veteran has a new home just in time for the holidays. Army Specialist Marco Solt was given the keys to his new home in Ramsey Saturday.

“It doesn't just touch me it touches all the veterans here knowing we have support from the community.” Marco Solt said.

While serving in Afghanistan, Solt lost both of his legs below the knee in an IED blast.

Thanks to Homes for Our Troops, Builders Association of the Twin Cities, Accent Homes and  fundraising by many family and friends, Solt will be able to share this newly built home with his wife and 2-year-old son, mortgage free.

The home is specially built to accommodate Solt’s injuries including wider doorways and roll under sinks which allow for a wheel chair.

“I'm speechless; this is just beautiful and amazing… It's been a long process and we are happy it is finally time to move in.” Gina Solt said.

“It's huge, It's really huge I know we are really excited to get in that kitchen, my wife so desperately wanted that island. We are so excited I’m at a loss for words for it all.” Marco Solt said.

Senator Al Franken and Senator Amy Klobuchar were there for the special moment. Klobuchar recalls meeting Solt previously at the Walter Reed Medical Center,

“Something I’ll never forget. I was having a bad day and I thought I’ll go over there and meet some of our injured troops, and Marco was so optimistic. He said, I’ve lost my legs, but I’ve got my life in front of me.”

And now he has a life changing gift, just in time for Thanksgiving.

“I think I’ll have to be here for a couple days to actually wake up and see these walls before it's real, because you know, It's a lot to take in.” Marco Solt said.

In 11 years of existences, Hope for Our Troops has helped build roughly 200 homes for veterans across the U.S.