Volunteers put finishing touches on specially adapted home for Wilmington Marine veteran

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It was hot, it was sweaty, and there was plenty of work to be done—but dozens of volunteers didn’t mind getting their hands dirty for a local hero.

On Saturday, volunteers gathered in Wilmington to put the finishing touches on a specially built home for Marine Corporal Dominic Davila.

Volunteers spent the day planting flowers and trees, digging and laying down sod around the new home.

The work is one of the final hurdles before Davila finally gets the keys to his new home, which was specifically designed with his needs in mind through Homes For Our Troops.

The nonprofit specializes in building mortgage-free homes with accessibility features designed to help severely injured veterans regain their independence.

Davila lost his right leg below the knee after his vehicle hit an IED while he was serving in Afghanistan in 2009. He also suffered a fractured left ankle and underwent multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation after returning to the United States.

Davila was honored earlier this year in March as construction on his new home got underway. At the time, he told WWAY he was still in awe of everything that was happening.

“I just feel kind of in shock, it’s really hard to grasp what’s been going on,” said Davila. “It’s been 7 or 8 years since we have applied and been in the program. It’s taken this amount of time, and now that it’s here, it doesn’t feel real at all.”

Now, after years of waiting, Davila’s new home is nearly ready. His key ceremony is scheduled for September 26.