R.W. Kidd and the Builders Association of Kosciusko Fulton Counties teamed up to surprise Warsaw native U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Justin Raymer with the news he will be moving into a custom-built mortgage-free home in Warsaw next year.
The surprise took place Saturday during country music entertainer and Army veteran Craig Morgan’s “American Stories” concert at the Wagon Wheel Theatre.
“We are so honored to partner with R.W. Kidd and the Builders Association of Kosciusko Fulton Counties to bring Justin and his family ‘home’ to Warsaw,” Rusty Carroll, executive director for Operation Finally Home said. “Justin and his wife, Kaci, want to raise their four children near family and we are blessed to be able to make that dream come true for this deserving veteran.”
Raymer was born in Warsaw and his father, Mike Raymer, is the assistant fire chief for the Winona Lake Fire Department.
R.W. Kidd Construction already has fulfilled 40 percent of its materials budget for the Raymer home, but more is needed. Professional inquiries to donate or provide needed materials and labor donations can call the Builders Association of Kosciusko and Fulton Counties at 574-267-6125.
Individuals also may show their support through financial donations. To donate, text “Warsaw” to 41444. All donations designed to “Warsaw” will go to this project.
Raymer served for more than 13 years, including four years with the Warsaw Army National Guard and nine years with the U.S. Army, between 2001 and 2015. He was deployed to Iraq three times and was involved in several attacks including a Scud with two Patriot missiles attack, an IED blast that rolled his truck and a friendly fire incident. Due to the multiple attacks, he sustained traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and injuries to multiple joints.
As a result of his honorable service, Raymer has received several military awards, medals and commendations including the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, multiple Army Commendation Medals and Army Achievement Medals and more.
While home between deployments, Justin met and married his wife, Kaci. They currently live in Georgia with their son and three daughters. While being “softball and baseball parents” keep them busy, Justin and Kaci have a desire and need to be closer to family in Warsaw, where Justin was born.
Operation Finally Home was established in 2005 as a nonpartisan/nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
The mission of Operation Finally Home is to provide custom-built, mortgage-free homes to America’s military heroes and the widows of the fallen who have sacrificed so much to defend America’s freedom and values. Operation Finally Home partners with corporate sponsors, builder associations, builders, developers, individual contributors and volunteers to help America’s military heroes and their families transition to the home front by addressing one of their most pressing needs – a home to call their own. To find out more, visit OperationFinallyHome.org.
John Kidd named his construction company R.W. Kidd Construction in gratitude and recognition of his father, Robert Wilson Kidd. The business was founded in 1995 in Las Vegas and in 2005, John returned to northern Indiana with his family. R.W. Kidd Construction is currently based in Warsaw, but operates throughout northern Indiana. They build residential and commercial products with a concentration on energy efficiency.
The Builders Association of Kosciusko Fulton Counties is facilitating the marketing and communication aspects of the Operation Finally Home project in Warsaw. Several of their members are key partners in the task force to help honor this hero with a home.
A multi-faceted entertainer, Craig Morgan has made a name for himself as a country music icon, TV host, celebrated outdoorsman and Army veteran. He received one of country music’s highest honors when he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008. In addition to a prolific country music career, he hosts the award-winning TV show “Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors,” now in its seventh season on Outdoor Channel.
Prior to becoming a country music star and TV sensation, Morgan spent 17 years serving the country in the Army and Army Reserves. He is an avid supporter of America’s military personnel and a recipient of the 2006 USO Merit Award. For more information on Craig Morgan, visit craigmorgan.com and engage with him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
