A soldier injured in Iraq broke ground on his family's new home Wednesday morning with a little help from some friends.
The village of Hillside and Plote Construction partnered to build the house for Sergio Lopez, who was struck by an IED in 2008 in Iraq and lost both his legs below the knee. The Department of Veteran Affairs helped pick Lopez's family to receive the award.
"Just to see my kids' eyes ... it's just amazing what the Village of Hillside has done," Lopez said after the ground breaking. Lopez and his wife have two daughters, 8 and 4 years old.
"It's a lot larger than the house we have now," he said. It will be "great to see my kids grow in the new house."
Planning and fundraising for the home began more than a year ago. Construction for the home will begin after a few pending donations are received.
What is Lopez looking forward to most?
The house's new attached garage.
"I'm a big car guy," he said. "I always like to be out in garage fixing things." Plus, he'll be able to help his wife with groceries now, when he couldn't in the snow from his detached garage.
"We always look forward," he said. "We're fortunate to have a great family that keeps pushing me."
