GASTONIA, N.C., July 9, 2024 - In recognition of his remarkable service and sacrifice, Army Sergeant Peter Clark and his wife, Army Specialist and fellow veteran Kelly Clark, will be honored with a mortgage-free home in Gastonia, North Carolina. The home is being provided by The 1776® Community and Building Homes for Heroes with support from Lowe’s. A home donation dedication ceremony will take place on Friday, July 26 at 10 a.m. at 3089 Founding Fathers Drive in 1776® Gastonia, a 55+ community that celebrates American patriotism and the founding ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Sgt. Peter Clark joined the United States Marines in December 1978 at just 17 years old, requiring parental consent to enlist. He served honorably for four years, following in his family’s proud military tradition, and was discharged in December 1982. Inspired by a sense of duty and desire to contribute to the fight against terrorism, Clark re-enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2002 out of Fort Myers, Florida, serving nearly another decade until his honorable discharge in August 2013.
During his distinguished service as an 88M, or Motor Transport Operator, Clark embarked on numerous life-threatening journeys across Iraq, where he delivered essential supplies, ammunition and transported fallen soldiers. On a particularly harrowing mission, he suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) while navigating hostile terrain. This incident, along with prolonged exposure to burn pits, significantly impacted his physical and mental health, leading to diagnoses of lung and brain cancer, memory loss, PTSD and other debilitating conditions.
Despite these challenges, Clark’s dedication to his country never wavered. For his valor and commitment, he has been awarded numerous commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2 Awards), War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal With ‘M’ Device, Army Service Ribbon, Army Lapel Button, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Expert Badge (Rifle), and the Sharpshooter Badge (Machinegun).
After his cancer diagnosis and subsequent remission, Peter and Kelly Clark embraced a new chapter in their lives. In 2014, they sold their belongings and embarked on a journey across the United States in an RV. However, as Clark’s health has begun to decline, they have decided to settle down and seek stability.
The mortgage-free home, built by NewStyle Communities, Inc., will provide the Clarks with a maintenance-free lifestyle, allowing them to focus on his health and well-being in a stable and supportive environment. This home is a testament to their unwavering service and the sacrifices they have made for their country.
Clark’s story is a powerful reminder of the courage and resilience of our veterans. As they transition to this new phase in their lives, the community of 1776® Gastonia stands ready to welcome them with open arms and offer the support they need.
The 1776® Community is a grassroots movement combining the elements of American patriotism, the American Dream of home ownership and the founding ideals of The United States of America: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The movement’s mission is to advance American patriotism at the zip code level, building new 55+ communities and neighborhoods in all 50 states. Current locations include Gastonia, North Carolina; Moore, South Carolina; Keller, Texas and Hermiston, Oregon. The 1776® Community is Where Americanism Lives.
At NewStyle Communities, our vision is to provide active adult residents with a quality, maintenance-free lifestyle in a superb and convenient location. The properties we hand-select are ones which will provide a lifetime of enjoyment. With our ever-growing portfolio of retirement communities in North and South Carolina, our current and future locations are sure to make a positive and vibrant impact on satisfying the demand for The New Home Lifestyle.
Building Homes for Heroes® is a national non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2006. Building Homes for Heroes® is determined and devoted to bringing renewed hope to our nation’s injured veterans, first responders and their families. The organization builds or modifies homes, and gifts them, mortgage-free, to injured veterans, first responders and their families, while providing support services to enable them to build better and brighter lives and reach new heights. It’s truly an honor to serve the men and women who have courageously served and sacrificed for our country.