You know something about human nature makes us jump and believe the worse when we here of people defrauding or doing wrong. But word says, 'in all thy getting.. get an understanding.' Do you really want the truth? When the truth comes out and things are recanted the corrections never receive as much attention. You wanted the whole truth I am going to give it to you.. but then what will you do? Will you be as outraged to learn that the Powers that be redirected your focus and misled you? Will you respond to them as you did the Battle family? Let's see.

received a call from my cousins David and Lakeisa Battle late last night/ early morning. They were so upset they couldn't sleep and it broke my heart so that I too tossed and turned all night. It seems trouble is never ending for this family. As most of you know, David suffered many injuries in Iraq due to and IED explosion. The list of injuries includes the loss of both legs and his right arm. The entire family has been living in two rooms at the Fisher House at Walter Reed Medical Center since David was transported there following his injuries in December of 2007.

We were all so encouraged when the organization, 'Homes for our Troops' came to them in mid 2008 and granted them with a home! They were so excited and have been anxiously awaiting the big move in date for over a year. Yesterday, however, the day before they were due to start moving in, there home where they had lovingly picked out colors and patterns and graciously received donations was snatched back from them by this organization.

The Organization stated that they chose to take the home back because they 'found out' that the Battles had two other properties in Fayetteville and that they violated there contract by not revealing ownership of these other properties. It was insinuated that this was done in an attempt to hide something when nothing could be further from the truth.

The truth in fact is that the Battles, chose to use the one time $100,000 allotment that all injured soldiers receive from the government to go into business. While $100,000 may appear to be a great deal of money, the Battles were strictly warned of being wasteful and not wanting to end up homeless and unable to work as most Veteran's do in there old age, they consulted a Financial Planner. The planner mapped out a strategy that would help them to be able to support themselves and their family of 4 kids (currently). The plan included purchasing some foreclosed and short sell type properties in a weak economy so that in a few years they could began producing an income that might be able to assist the family.

The were wisely advised not to only consider low pricing but to pick good neighborhoods and properties that could escalate in value as opposed to ones in neighborhoods that would deteriorate and end up costing them more money through damages and vandalism. They started searching in the area that they knew best, the place where David's wife had grown up. They did find several properties and decided on purchasing two of them, one was considered a steal at $15,000 because it had been terribly vandalized with gaping holes in all of the walls and every window knocked out. Not to be deterred though, the Battles moved forward in there knew business repairing their investment property. Of course, the cost of revitalizing the home exceeded what they had expected. And consequently, Mrs. Battle began to make frequent trips to Atlanta on the weekend trying to do as much of the work as she could by herself because the family couldn't afford to pay for the ever growing need for repairs in the business that they had selected to help with there retirement. In fact, during one visit, Lakeisa fell from the roof while trying to clean out the gutters and ended up being rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

These homes were purchased as a business. They were not purchased to be the family home and are not handicap accessible one of them is even a multi-level home where David would not even be able to easily get to the bedroom without fighting a long flight of stairs. Let me be perfectly clear here so that there are no misunderstanding they can be made like the ones that can easily be assumed by reading the press release from HOMES for our troops. .. the Battles did not own any property when they signed the agreement with Homes for our troops. Nor did they have any money to purchase any properties. The facts that the listed on there application that were used to qualify them were true. They were only advised of Real Estate as a way to prepare for retirement months later. And it was clearly described that it would take several years before they would see a return on there investments.

Now, on a personal note, David and Lakeisa Battle have arguments and disagreements, just as any married couple does. The stresses involved in dealing with everyday life can be a trial for even the best of marriages even with two able bodied people with no children. The fact that they have 3 teenagers and a 3 year old is simply par for the course. Add to that the stress of the constant surgeries and additional injuries that David has suffered, the anger and frustration of the situation and you get something that can be volatile. It was during one of her trips to Atlanta to work on the family retirement plan that David and Lakeisa had one such fight and decided to separate. The stress was too much for either of them to deal with. Lakeisa made a sporadic offer on a short sell property that looked to be a good home for her and the kids. A few days later of course, David and Lakeisa made up and couples frequently do, and decided that they would go to marriage counseling to make there marriage work. The family was going to stay together in the Maryland. Three months later, Lakeisa received a call that the offer for the house was accepted. She of course no longer wanted the house because things were looking better for the family with the counseling that they were receiving they were learning how to communicate there fears and frustrations to each other so much better. When she advised the agent of the fact that she no longer wished to purchase she was told that she could be sued by the Agent, the bank that accepted the short sell offer and the current owners because there credit was on the line. Lakeisa was overwhelmed. She spoke with her husband and they decided that they couldn't afford to be sued right now with their retirement resources tied up in rental properties that were only costing money and did not even have tenants in them as of yet.

When she told me about the situation, I agreed to try and help. I told her that I would move and occupy the new home and try to assist with as much of the management, maintenance and repairs of the rental properties as possible.

Homes for our Troops seems to think that the Battles should have called them when these events took place but I didn't call everyone when my husband and I had a fight and I certainly didn't disclose any of my retirement plan efforts to everyone either. Although they were cautioned about things that could break the contract, it was never stated that they had to disclose any new business ventures that may or may not ( in this market) be helpful toward retirement. Would they have taken back the house if the Battles had placed there money in the just as precarious stock market? This seems so unfair!

Now, to my part in the story, when Lakeisa kept telling of David's desire to get out of the cramped living quarters for a family vacation, I suggested that they come here for a few weeks. There are a lot of family members that have not seen David since he was injured because he can't travel as freely. Lakeisa discussed it with David and it became an exciting idea. Lakeisa went out and spent thousands buying supplies to make the house accessible to David.

Once again, we underestimated, we thought we could place a ramp on the house and widen some doors and the house would be handicap accessible for David. We quickly learned that a lot more was involved. It's strange but you don't think of things like toilets and handrails and electrical wiring when you think of making a home handicapped accessible. Lakeisa quickly ran out of money to have the labor done an ended up with a basement full of supplies and still no place that David could get away from the hospital for a while. In the meantime, the home that they had been promised from homes for our troops was at stand still. She constantly tried emailing for updates and information to no avail. David's frustration at being boxed in again was beginning to take its toll. When up steps the Dynamic Patriot Guard Riders of Ga.

They offered skilled and unskilled labor to help finish the job so that David could get away for a while. They were outstanding partnering with wonderful people like Mr. Parker and his team and Bob the Builder and his team they reformed a basement into a haven that was greater than anyone could have EVER imagined. It included a full size kitchen and bath and all of the amenities that David could ever dream of. It wonderful and all of the volunteers had such warm hearts and bright spirits that it became a anticipated joy to see the reaction that David would have finally being able to get away from Walter Reed Hospital and be in a family environment (not a hotel with strangers staring every time you leave your room). A celebration surprise was scheduled for David's arrival and everyone got busy making sure that everything was in place. Fox 5 news aired a story a few days before David's arrival to talk about the wonderful work of all the volunteers that stepped up to help and ....

The bottom fell out. Homes for our troops decided that they no longer wanted to give the home to David that many had donated to expressly for him and his family. They claimed not to have known about the project to remodel the basement in GA when in fact Lakeisa had spoken with a representative from the organization months before. She had given the information about the Patriot Guard Riders to the rep and even offered to stop the project if it would jeopardize the home that they were being gifted in Maryland. She was asked who was this where the family was going to be living, was this to be their home? Lakeisa told her that the family would have to reside in the MD/DC area for some time that her husbands injuries mandated that he have therapy daily at Walter Reed so that Md had to be home. That the renovations were being done to the basement that, I, her cousin now call home. I know she had this conversation as I was standing beside her when it happened. The rep also called the organization to verify that the Battles had not solicited the help or received any financial assistance. How could they claim not to have known when they made verification calls to the Patriot Guard Rider's? She was reminded about not doing any publicity until the home was complete. She agreed and held up her part of the agreement. The story that aired was about the volunteerism of the Patriot Guard Riders and Lakeisa was not even aware of it. Homes for our troops after using David and his story for over a year to raise all of the funds and materials needed for his home said they were taking it from him because:

The partnership agreement indicates that Homes For Our Troops can withdraw support for cause and one specifically stated is 8.3.2
Cause for release may be in the form of, but not limited to: felony criminal acts by the veteran; falsification or intentional omission of information provided to HFOT to determine edibility; Dishonorable Discharge from the armed forces; sudden obtainment of significant wealth; and/or other extreme cases as determined by the HFOT Board.

I fail to see a felony criminal act in trying to provide for your family's retirement or for accepting unsolicited help to provide him with a home away from home where he can get away for a while. There was no falsification or omission on the application that was completed to determine eligibility. HFOT has the deeds that show that these investments were made months after that agreement. I definitely don't consider $100,000 to be great significant wealth if that is the case HFOT should know that every injured soldier receives it, but many don't invest it. They allow it to dwindle away. Will HFOT go and take their homes away now? Why would they wait until the day before to disgrace a wounded soldier this way. I can't believe that an organization recognized by the American Institute of Philanthropy would behave in such a manner. How could they treat a wounded warrior this way?

I am at a lost... I don't know what to do. . it seems to be yet another horrible tragedy for this family and if anyone can think of anything that can be done.. please PLEASE tell me.. This set back has been so depressing for a family that has already endured so much loss. Perhaps, if Lakeisa had been able to contact her regular rep with Homes for our troops she would have known that this could happen, maybe if she hadn't acted so rashly when they had a spat, maybe if they had told her that she needed to notify them of ANY business ventures not ones that would cause a huge sum of money this wouldn't have happened. I know hindsight is always 20/20 but this seems to be soooo wrong. We all make mistakes but should they really be this punishing. Now the family has no place to live in a place that will be home for a long time to come. I have never seen volunteer efforts and a desire by everyday people backfire in such a way. Somebody HELP!!! Anybody please help!

Here you have it. Your move! What will you do? (my guess is,,, you'll sigh and say..oh what a shame. That poor family will you offer and apology for your angry words or quick deeds?)

Mr. Kingston,

I think this blog you started along with the interview I watched is very distasteful. In the interview: "there is no shortage of wounded soldiers." "We will just move on to the next wounded soldier on the list". Those two statements are both true and that is how this situation should have been handled. You and your company/organization should have taken the high road on this. You should have been more understanding of Sgt. Battle’s situation and you should have keep you mouth shut, smiled and moved on to the next guy. You built a house in Maryland for a man whose family and friends live in Georgia. I understand that he accepted your very generous offer and when he changed his mind that you were disappointed. But you should have understood that when a person goes through something like this that it is a very emotional and scary time. You need to understand that for a person laying there in that bed, one of the biggest and scariest thoughts in their mind, aside from the emotional stuff is the practical stuff. How am I going to get dress in the morning? How am I going to get in and out of the house? How am I going to shower? How am I going to eat, pee, drive, shower, etc. All that little stuff you never think about until you don’t know how you are going to do it. Then one day a man walks into room and offers you a fancy house with all kinds of special equipment and what not. A house that basically answers all the “how am I” questions. There is only one option on that day. To say YES and Thank You. But then another turn of events on the emotional roller coaster of this disaster. You start thinking more about your family and friends and how important they are. And how there visits, thoughts, prayers, words of encouragement, etc. have all made you less scared. And that living in Georgia and being close to them is far more import than a fancy house with special equipment. Buy anyways, back to the point. You and your company could have taken the high road on this. You could have smiled, understood, forgave and moved on to help the next guy. “There isn’t a shortage.” Instead you chose to be petty. You gave in interview with you local media. That was wrong but forgivable. But then you chased this man down. You followed him back to his home town and attempted to dishonor him and front of family, friends and neighbors. All the people he holds closest to his heart. Shame on you. But its ok. Because as it turns out; you only dishonored yourself and you organization with this blog. You have shown us how petty and shallow you are. You have proven that you intent is not to help the wounded soldiers, who so badly need it. No, helping them is not your objective. You have shown that your intent is, tax breaks and public recognition. You want to show people what a great guy you are. So that those people will in turn support your company and make your business more profitable. I apologize for the length of this letter and now it is time for me to wrap it up as eloquently as I know how. Go f**k yourself, Mr. Kingston, and thank you Sgt. Beale for all you have sacrificed for us. Always keep your head high. You did nothing wrong here.

most worthy project I say, thank you!
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

I understand the dissapointment and hurt of all that donated time, materials and funds to this project.
David deserves respect for his service, we can never take that away.
I wish him well in Georgia where his family has chosen to live and appreciate the Patriot Guard Riders for working to help him and his family there.

I do not understand what the Battles were thinking when they took charity from multiple organizations in multiple states. Two handicap accessible homes, and a third home in Georgia to use as an investment.....

Seems like there are other injured soldiers in worse conditions with less resources that could be benefitting from the goodness of others.
That part is the shame - greed is a bad thing

I know that Homes for Our Troops will find a truly needy military family to occupy that wonderfully built home in Maryland, with all the accommodations for someone that is severely injured. A family that has no resources and that truly appreciate the gift that will be given to them.

I just did a little further reading about this, very interesting, now I'm not sure what to think. Hmmmmmmm