Wounded Fort Campbell veteran is 'Finally Home'

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Nearly 10 years ago, Sgt. David Hannah had his life permanently altered by a mortar round in Tikrit, Iraq, that devastated his body and mind.

Following the explosion, the Fort Campbell soldier was moved to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he was treated for multiple injuries, including a broken leg, a punctured lung, a lacerated liver, numerous shrapnel wounds, and a severe traumatic brain injury. Although Hannah retired from the Army in April 2011, he still suffers from multiple service-related injuries, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, tinnitus and memory loss.

On Friday, as a heavily military neighborhood gathered to welcome the Hannah family into their midst, his life, and the lives of his wife and four children, were altered in the most positive way imaginable as they received the keys to a beautiful new home.

The gift was by way of gratitude for what Hannah and his family have endured as a result of his service to the country, presented through the generosity of donors to Operation Finally Home, in partnership with Morgan and Son Homes and sponsoring real estate services company Cushman and Wakefield.

When builder Joe Morgan handed over the keys on Friday, it was the culmination of a whirlwind two days, which began on Thursday during Cushman & Wakefield's Annual Industrial Conference held at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

David and his wife, Ciera, went to the hotel thinking they were just doing an interview when the surprise was sprung on them by a famous wounded veteran, OFH supporter and "Dancing With The Stars" star J.R. Martinez, who offered the conference keynote address.

Finally home

The driveway to the new home, located in a subdivision conveniently located near the West Creek complex of schools off Peacher's Mill Road, was decorated Friday with flags from OFH donors, many of them with personalized messages for the family.

As neighbors lined the street outside, the Hannah family stood in the driveway for a short ceremony that included an opening prayer from minister and combat veteran Carlo Serrano.

With keys in hand, David opened the door and led his family into the spacious five-bedroom, four-bath home with neighbors and supporters following for a tour.

After a look around and a round of hugs from well-wishers, Ciera gave an emotional assessment of what the day meant to the family.

"I told David this is something that happens in the movies," she said. "It doesn't happen to ordinary people, so this is more than a dream come true.

"It's a blessing from God. ... The neighborhood is wonderful, all the people are amazing, and we're next to a great school. We couldn't be more happy. The kids are over the moon, but the oldest one is really the only one who understands.

"We plan on making a lot of great memories here. This is stability. We don't have to leave."

In other words, the Hannah family is finally home.

Philip Grey, 245-0719

Military affairs reporter

philipgrey@theleafchronicle.com

Twitter: @PhilipGrey_Leaf