The passing of a key to Sergeant Leroy Watkins left him and his family nearly speechless.
“It is kind of overwhelming. It’s a really nice place, a lot to take in,” said Leroy Watkins, a retired Army National Guard Sergeant.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage partnered with the Military Warriors Support Foundation to present the Watkins family with an 100% mortgage-free home in Jackson Township, York County as a part of the Homes4WoundedHeroes program. This donation is included in Wells Fargo’s $30 million dollar project to provide housing, career transitions, and financial counseling to active service members, veterans, and their families.
The 15 year Oklahoma Army National Guard veteran served three deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. After suffering six brains injuries, he medically retired from the military. He now has a service dog named Duke to help him deal with his injuries. “He helps me with my balance issues, especially with stairs. Also with my anxiety and my PTSD issues,” said Sgt. Watkins. Watkins saved Duke two days before he was supposed to be put down.
“They saved each other I like to say,” said Leroy’s wife Angie Watkins. “This has just been such a blessing. We have prayed long and hard about a good home and god really took care of us. is always the one that does the right thing. No matter how inconvenient, like defending our country, you can always count on him and I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
Watkins now plans to attend Penn State York in the fall studying business administration. He wants to open his own business training service dogs for other soldiers.