Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia donated 200 hours’ worth of repair and maintenance work this week to a retired veteran in Dale City.
According to a release, volunteers from Mr. Handyman’s staff visited 20-year retired Army Master Sergeant Thomas Crawford at his home, to help provide some much needed repairs. The work was done as part of the businesses’ participation in the 2016 National Day of Service.
“Thomas is still a resident after 44 years, where he lives with his wife of 50 years, Jo Ellen, and he has battled with Alzheimer’s disease over the last 14 years…Thomas has not been out of his home in two years without the assistance of an ambulance,” stated a release.
The crew from Mr. Handyman installed a ramp, deck, and sidewalk to allow Crawford to get some fresh air, and to provide him with a bit more mobility, according to a release.
“We are honored to be working with Mr. Crawford as part of Mr. Handyman’s National Day of Service campaign. We are always looking for ways to give back to our community, and we are excited to be a part of a national operation to help those in need,” stated Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia owner Jo McCabe in a release.
According to a release, the work on the home included removing the existing deck, repairing the home’s roof, and several exterior and interior projects.
More on Crawford’s background, from a release:
Thomas joined the United States Army at 17 years old after graduating high school in Detroit Michigan. In his 20 years of active service he served mainly as an administrative specialist. His duty stations included three tours in Ft. Meyer, Virginia working in the Pentagon for the office for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as two tours in the Republic of Vietnam and one tour each in Korea and Germany, and a few other stateside stints.
He received numerous award citations and commendations such as the National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal to name a few. In December of 1990 through April of 1991 Thomas was called back into service to escort the remains of casualties of the Persian Gulf War from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to their hometowns.
In retirement Thomas had been an active member of VFW post 1503, where he served as Quartermaster for three consecutive terms. He now battles with Alzheimer’s disease which he has had for the last 14 years.
