Combat Wounded Afghan Vet To Get New Home In Tampa

Posted Dec 18, 2012 by Howard Altman

Updated Dec 18, 2012 at 08:02 AM

After losing both of his legs in Afghanistan, SPC Charlie Lemon came home and received months of rehabilitation.  Later this morning, he will receive the keys to his new home as part of Operation FINALLY HOME.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor will be the keynote speaker at a 10 a.m. ceremony at the new home, 1922 W. Gray St. 

According to TPD:

Operation FINALLY HOME partners with corporate sponsors, builder associations, builders, developers, individual contributors, and volunteers to help severely wounded heroes and their families’ transition from the battlefront to the home front.

Lemon’s new home was built by Sunstone Construction. Sunstone Construction, a veteran owned business, has launched a “Planet Forward” concept for Green building in partnership with GE Eco-magination. Sunstone’s offerings range from a LEED platinum certifiable to affordable “Net Zero” achievable homes throughout the Tampa Bay region. They utilize Gramatica’s Structural Insulated Panels (SIP’s) along with other energy efficient products. In all models, the base level comes standard with the infrastructure to accommodate upgrades based on consumer demand and affordability.
The base level is ENERGY STAR rated and FGBC Green certified which allows homeowners an average savings of around $1,000 on their spending towards a “net zero” energy utility when compared to a normal home of its size. Sunstone’s greenest offering includes solar panels with optional battery backup, cistern and several other available components.

About Operation FINALLY HOME:

Operation FINALLY HOME is a nationwide organization that was established in 2005 as a non-partisan/non-profit 501(c)(3). Operation FINALLY HOME’S mission
is to provide custom made mortgage free homes to wounded and disabled veterans and the widows of the fallen in an effort to get their lives back on track and become productive members of their communities.

About Community Partners in Revitalization:

Community Partners in Revitalization (CPR) is a veteran-founded organization.

The mission for CPR was developed in an effort to improve the quality of life by providing healthy, energy efficient homes for low to moderate income
individuals, families and veterans. These strategically placed new homes in the Tampa Bay area have been effective in reducing blight through neighborhood stabilization and positive economic impact.
As CPR is a qualified licensed general contractor #CBC-1259080, they have an ability to maintain cost
controls to ensure the community receives the maximum benefit of efforts, donations and funds made available by use of efficient designs provided by
Sunstone Construction. To learn more, please visit www.cpr501c3.com.

About Gramatica SIPS International:

Founded in 2009, Gramatica SIPS International provides a full line of services involving Structural Insulated Panel Systems, also known as SIPS. Structural
Insulated Panels are an environmentally friendly building product that provide greater levels of insulation and show tremendous strength in extreme loading conditions, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and other hazardous weather.

Gramatica SIPS International has relocated their manufacturing facility from Sarasota to East Tampa. They have also recently established the Gramatica
Family Foundation; a non-profit whose mission is to provide energy efficient housing initiatives and development assistance to disabled military veterans,
the underprivileged and the ailing.

For more information about Sunstone Construction, CPR or others visit their website at www.sunstonehomesfl.com, www.CPR501c3.com or contact Brian K. Lamb at blamb@merituscorp.com, 813.873.7300