-
Army Sgt. Dilone receives the key to his new Kissimmee home Saturday courtesy of Homes For Our Troops. PHOTO/DAVID CHIVERS
A group of over 70 friends, volunteers and well-wishers welcomed Lito Santos Dilone and his two daughters to their new home in Kissimmee, donated at a Key Ceremony on Saturday by the national nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops (HFOT).
The Kissimmee veteran was severely injured while serving in Iraq. The home features more than 40 major special adaptations including widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower and kitchen amenities including pull down shelving and lowered countertops.
On Sept. 6, 2005, Army Sgt. Dilone was serving as the lead gunner of a convoy with the Division’s Personal Security team in Baghdad when his vehicle drove over several improvised explosives devices (IEDs). Two of his teammates were killed instantly, and Dilone lost his left leg at the hip and sustained some hearing loss.
At the presentation, Army Staff Sgt. Chris Gordon, himself a past recipient of a home from HFOT, remembered meeting Santos Dilone when both were recovering at Walter Reed Medical Hospital after their injuries, and talked about the transformative value a home can bring.
“It can change your life. The five years I’ve been in my home have been the best in my life, for sure,” he said. “It’s beautiful to see where you (Lito) came from back then when I first met you at Walter Reed, to see you now with your beautiful daughters and your family. I’m overjoyed for you.”
“Lito could have lived anywhere he wanted to in the United States. He chose here. He chose Kissimmee,” said retired Brig. General Tom Landwermeyer, who spoke on behalf of Homes For Our Troops, a national organization dedicated to providing customized homes for wounded veterans all over the country. The group has built over 300 homes so far, 30 of them in Florida, with 13 more active builds in Florida alone.
“We don’t see what we do as charity. We really see it as a moral obligation of the citizens of our country to take care of these troops and their families. Every one of these troops voluntarily served,” Landwermeyer said.
Since the injury, Dilone said he has found a passion for golf and music. He helps empower other veterans through golf. He has a recording studio for his music in his home, and plans to further his musical knowledge by pursuing a degree in the performing arts.
“There’s only one thing bigger than Lito’s smile,” Landwermeyer noted, “And that’s his heart.”
In short, grateful remarks, Dilone could barely contain his joy, thanking all those who made the day possible. Then he turned somber and quiet, remembering the day he was injured.
“I lost two battle buddies that day. So this is their house. This is for them. This is for Franklin. This is for Jude,” he said.
He took several moments, supported by his friend Chris Gordon, before continuing. “I’m really happy. It makes my heart happy. It makes me joyous to see there are people that care. This is an amazing, life changing event,” he said.
He again thanked his family and the organization and volunteers who provided the house. “This is my American dream,” said Dilone, who is originally from the Dominican Republic. “ The American dream is a real thing.”
