KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine — It’s a high-rent district, not far from the beach. Come August, Army veteran Waylon Holbrook and his family of four will move into the neighborhood, residing in a brand new home in this serene, leafy section of Kennebunkport.
“This is a great opportunity,” said Holbrook, who fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom and suffered injuries from roadside bombs. The nonstop, “day after day” combat took a toll on the 37-year-old, who returned from the war in 2005 with headaches, backaches, a lame foot and seasonal affective disorder. Living in an apartment in an old, drafty farmhouse in Saco for years didn’t help his situation.
When Habitat for Humanity of York County announced it was seeking applicants for its first home for a veteran, the father of two young sons wasted little time.
“A lot of veterans come back and have struggles. But this is not a handout; it’s a hand up. It helps people become homeowners, and they don’t set them up to fail,” said Holbrook, who grew up in nearby Cape Porpoise and lived in Massachusetts, Texas and Rhode Island.
Habitat selects families based on their living conditions and willingness to offer sweat equity. Chosen from a pool of 20, Holbrook and his wife, Nicole, agreed to put in 400 hours working on his home and other Habitat projects. The couple is buying their home through an interest-free mortgage.
“It has been an honor to have the opportunity to partner with a veteran who has given so much to our country and who continues to work so hard for his family,” Amy Nucci, executive director of Habitat for Humanity York County, said.
On the construction site in early July, Holbrook wasn’t the only one working hard.
At his side in the midday heat was a crew of veterans from the Army and Navy who were eager to pitch in.
Brad Howard, a burly man wearing in a cap that said “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” climbed down from a ladder to explain.
“All military is a brotherhood. It’s like a fraternity. You always have a fellow veteran’s back,” Howard, an Army vet who served in Iraq shortly after Holbrook, said.
The Saco resident also is applying for a Habitat home.
“I wouldn’t be putting in as much time [if the military connection wasn’t so strong],” Howard said. Plus, like Holbrook, being outside socializing and learning new skills is a sanity break.
“It’s more therapeutic for me,” Howard said. “And there is no clock to punch.”
The land for Holbrook’s home was donated by the town. Pushed back from the road, shrouded by plants and trees, it’s a perfect location for Holbrook, who suffers from anxiety.
“Being a combat veteran, having this kind of privacy is important,” Holbrook said. “Being around crowds is stressful, so I try to avoid the stress as much as I can.”
To Jack Rodie, the project leader who owns a construction company on Maine’s southern coast, teaching volunteers to build homes is more than woodworking 101.
“Sure, we are building a house, but it’s almost like building a community. It’s something more than just a house,” said Rodie, who places tools in the hands of anyone who shows up. “I’d much rather work with this group than the multimillion-dollar homes going up along the coast.”
Even volunteers like Brian Duffy, a jack-of-all-trades from Ogunquit, without a military connection, offered a hand upon hearing a veteran was in need.
“It got me to act faster,” Duffy, perspiring in the sun, said. “That’s what you do. As soon as I heard a veteran needed help, it was a clear call to action.”
Duffy, who turns up every week to help, minced few words on his reason for being there. “A veteran needs a home, by all means let’s get it done.”
And soon, when Holbrook his wife and sons move into their new ranch, he can build a new foundation. Top on his list?
“To provide my family with a stable home and get involved in the local community,” Holbrook said. “I’d like to re-integrate. It’s important for me and my family to socialize, make friends and be part of this new environment.”
