Restoring homes and changing lives

By Hannah Ford. 

This new roof unburdened a Navy veteran.  

Roofers all over have provided help to community members in need by donating materials and building roofs for free, ultimately changing lives. And the same is true for U.S. Navy veteran David Sams in Parkersburg, West Virginia, who received a new roof for free.  

David served during the Vietnam-era on an ammunition ship. And while he planned on paying to replace his roof, a local company had other plans. 

Bowser Construction originally installed David’s roof twenty-six years ago. David had called recently to get it replaced but the owner Harlan Bowser had told him he was a candidate for a great program he had heard of. The veteran was selected by the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Program and the Purple Heart Homes for the major repair on his house, which dates back to World War I and needed renovation. “It's just an effort to give back to veterans and say thank you for the work they've done and the commitment they make," shared Dennis DeLong, Owens Corning senior area sales manager.  

Owen’s Corning provided the materials and Bowser Construction worked tirelessly for a week on David’s roof. They completed the job and his roof was restored. “This right here, having Owens Corning and Bowser help us out like this, is a real sweet deal. It does help a lot,” David told Eyewitness News. 

David was ecstatic to have help from the roofers and explained that it was a welcome change compared to how some Vietnam veterans were received when they returned to the states. “It is incredible to have somebody actually care and do something to provide a service and do a good job, and care for you,” David said. “It is mind-numbing that they would take the time to help out a veteran like this.” 

The new roof comes with a lifetime warranty. If David should need a roof repair again, it would be completely covered. This will provide him with the much-needed relief and ease of mind knowing that his home is secure for years to come. Harlan told News and Sentinel, “It’s an honor for us to help the veterans and thank them for their service. It means the world to us to be able to do this.” 

Original image source: Eyewitness News