Injured vet, family handed keys to new home

Colorado’s Patrick McPherson, a retired Army sergeant struggled to adjust to life off the battlefield after he was permanently injured and medically retired in 2012.

Wednesday, McPherson, his wife Jennifer and their two kids were awarded a five-bedroom home in Colorado Springs, thanks to the generosity and partnership of U.S. Bank Southern Colorado and the Freedom Alliance.

It’s the ultimate holiday gift for a wounded veteran.

“I’m overwhelmed,” McPherson said. “I’m excited, nervous, happy, it was a gamut of emotions.”

McPherson spent 11 years in the Army and endured three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“People look at my husband and they see he’s got both arms and both legs,” Jennifer said. “Not all wounds are easily visible.”

Patrick suffers from PTSD and traumatic brain injury.

“We need to help our vets out with the invisible wounds,” Jennifer said.

A bit of help came in the form of a set of a keys, Wednesday.

“For our employees to be part of a company like this that celebrates the contribution these men and women make to our country, it’s only fitting that we find places for them for employment and also housing,” Tom Naughton, the president of U.S. Bank Southern Colorado said.

“As far as my recovery for the PTSD, it was kind of at a standstill where we were at,” McPherson said. “Now, we can push forward.”

The family will push forward to a new beginning in a new home.

This is the McPherson family’s first house together.