Retired Army Staff Sgt. Welcomed to New Adaptive Lennar Home

Helping a Hero, a nonprofit providing support for military personnel severely injured in the war on terror, Bass Pro Shops and Lennar welcomed retired Army Staff Sgt. Brent Bretz to his brand-new Lennar home in Gilbert, Arizona adapted to make daily life easier for the double-amputee injured by an explosion while on duty in Iraq. The homecoming celebration was part of Helping a Hero’s 100 Homes Challenge, which was launched by Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops.

Neighbors at Lennar’s Warner Meadow community lined the streets waving American flags and holding handmade signs cheering “Welcome Home, SSG Bretz.” Bretz was greeted by special guests Helping a Hero Founder Meredith Iler; National Ambassador for Helping a Hero; and Alan Jones, Lennar Phoenix Division President.

The new home is a single-story Trillium plan showcasing Lennar’s Next Gen home-within-a-home designed to be fully wheelchair accessible. The home includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms in the main portion and the Next Gen suite portion has one bedroom with a private bathroom, a living room and kitchen with a single-car attached garage. Bretz’ new home also includes a covered patio and zero-entry shower in the owner’s suite.

Bretz joined the Army in October 2000. He completed Basic and Infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia then was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA with the 25th Infantry Division. His unit deployed to Iraq, where he was a sniper. On Dec. 19, 2004, Staff Sgt. Bretz was driving a supply truck when it hit an Improvised Explosive Device, which took both of his legs and left him with multiple permanent injuries. He was stabilized in Germany and completed his rehabilitation in San Antonio.

Although a double amputee, Bretz is very independent and wears his prosthetics at least a portion of every day. He is an incredible dad to his 21-year-old daughter and spends his time as founder of a nonprofit to help veterans find transitional housing.