West Orange Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce U.S. Army Sergeant Major Patrick Corcoran has been selected to be the recipient of - Home At Last 2010 – the third special project to be built, by the local Habitat affiliate, to honor a combat wounded, disabled, and veteran of the Iraq/Afghanistan wars. Construction on the home is planned to start June 1, 2010 with a mid November completion date.

On August 13, 2009 Corcoran, a 23 year U. S. Army veteran, with six tours and three deployments to war zones, was seriously injured in Afghanistan when his armored vehicle struck a roadside improvised explosive device (IED). His injuries included two broken legs, a compound ankle fracture, a pelvic fracture, torn knee ligaments, broken scapula, torn rotator cuff, plus head and brain injuries. The blast tore through his back causing a vertebra burst facture with a 90% spinal cord compromise which has left him paralyzed from the waist down.

After his injury he was evacuated by helicopter to the field hospital at Forward Operating Base Shank and then to Bagram Air Base to be stabilized for further evacuation. After five days in a coma, he regained consciousness at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany His wife Becky met him in Germany and on August 21, 2009 they were transported to Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he began a series of over 20 surgeries to repair his broken bones and other injuries. On September 14, 2009 he underwent a spinal fusion procedure, with a titanium sleeve, to stabilize his spine and protect the remaining nerves. Prior to his spinal fusion he was completely immobilized on a special gurney to prevent further injury. After his spinal fusion he was transferred to the Neurological Science Ward for further care which lasted an additional two months. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation treatment at the Tampa Veterans Administration Hospital, Spinal Cord Injury Center. (SCIC)

Some of his many awards are the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge , and numerous others.

The Corcoran’s – wife Rebecca (Becky) with sons T J and Patrick are living in a rental home in Tampa and when her husband's rehabilitation is complete Central Florida is where they wish to make their home.

West Orange Habitat officials are currently searching, in West Orange County, for a suitable building site to construct a, disability friendly, home for this most deserving soldier family, who has paid such a heavy price serving our country. (read less)

West Orange Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce U.S. Army Sergeant Major Patrick Corcoran has been selected to be the recipient of - Home At Last 2010 – the third special project to be built, by the local Habitat affiliate, to honor a combat wounded, disabled, and veteran of the Iraq/Afghanistan wars. Construction on the home is planned to start June 1, 2010 with a mid November completion date.

On August 13, 2009 Corcoran, a 23 year U. S. Army veteran, with six tours and three... (read more)