Wounded veteran given home, becomes new Los Banosan
A veteran wounded in combat is one of Los Banos’ newest homeowners thanks to the charitable contribution of a nonprofit organization and one of the country’s largest banks.
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan Chance Thomas, his wife Evita, and their 4-year-old daughter Lylah received the keys to their mortgage-free home on Mendocino Court on Wednesday morning. The family was given the house through a program that provides homes to wounded veterans. The program is spearheaded by Military Warriors Support Foundation and backed by Wells Fargo.
“This is an awesome thing for me and my family,” said Thomas.
A native of Perryton, Texas, Thomas, 31, served two tours of duty in the Iraq War. He was awarded a Purple Heart during his first deployment to Fallujah in 2004 after being hit with shrapnel from a car bomb. Thomas suffered injuries around his eye and the lower half of his body. During Thomas’ second tour he served in a scout sniper platoon.
He met his wife while serving in the military and was honorably discharged in 2007. Thomas was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon and the Navy Unit Commendation.
Thomas, who is 70 percent disabled, settled in Sacramento with his wife after his service ended. It was a buddy who encouraged him to apply to Military Warriors Support Foundation to try and become a homeowner. Thomas put in his application and went through a six-month vetting process. He was happily accepted.
“He applied and met the criteria. It is our mission to support the combat wounded and Gold Star families,” said Courtney Hofer, Military Warriors Support Foundation, communication coordinator.
Wells Fargo, which secured the home with its Real Estate-Owned Property Donations Program, issued a press release about the donation to Thomas.
“Corporal Thomas and his family have made many sacrifices for our country,” stated David Galasso, Wells Fargo northern and central California lead region president. “He was away from his family while serving two tours in Iraq and overcame injuries while overseas. This house is a token of appreciation from Wells Fargo, for all you did to protect and serve our county.”
Thomas said he is not concerned about leaving the state capitol in favor of a much smaller Los Banos. He said growing up in Perryton (population 9,300 according to the latest U.S. Census estimate) gave him plenty of experience with small-town life.
“This is going to be a place to raise my daughter,” he said.
This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 1:35 PM with the headline "Wounded veteran given home, becomes new Los Banosan."