Renovating 1st BCT Gold Star spouse's home provides hope years after loss

By Capt. Joseph Payton, 1st Brigade Combat Team PAODecember 18, 2014

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Mark O'Donnell, bottom center, poses with the 1st Brigade Combat Team volunteers at the Paranzino property in Redwood. The volunteers embodied the 1st BCT motto "Find a way or make one!" as they helped to renovate the home of one of their Gold S... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Warrior Brigade volunteers trim fallen tree branches with a chainsaw as part of the project to help restore the home of the widow of Sgt. Michael Paranzino in Redwood. Paranzino died of wounds he received from an
attack while deployed to Afghanistan... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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REDWOOD, N.Y. -- Giving one's life for his or her country is often considered the ultimate sacrifice, but that statement begs the question, "whose sacrifice is it?" It's safe to say that no one has sacrificed more for the nation than the Families of the fallen -- the Gold Star Families.

More than four years ago, Lindsey Paranzino became a Gold Star spouse when she lost her husband, Sgt. Michael Paranzino, of wounds he received from an insurgent attack while deployed to Afghanistan as a member of 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.

Despite her sacrifice, her husband's legacy has been a constant motivator, inspiring her to make the most out of life.

"Working hard and trying to do the right thing was everything he represented," she said. "I try to model my life after that lesson he taught me. I believe this was a big part of the legacy he left behind."

His premature death was especially hard because of one particular project they had planned. The Paranzinos made an investment in a fixer-upper house before he deployed, intending to renovate it together upon his return.

"Before Sgt. Paranzino's deployment, he and Lindsey purchased a home that is a handyman special and was going to be their project together once he returned," said Jeffrey Reynolds, a representative of the Fort Drum Chapter of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division. "Since then, Lindsey has been slowly remodeling and repairing the home."

Inspired by the Paranzinos' story, Reynolds and his organization sought assistance from the Home Depot Foundation, which donated $4,800 and some skilled laborers toward the renovation. He also reached out to Sgt. Paran-zino's former unit, 1st BCT, for volunteers to help complete the home renovation project.

"Apparently, there's quite a bit of work to be done, including clearing and cleaning up over 10 acres and building and construction on the house," said Lauren O'Donnell, 1st BCT FRG adviser and spouse of Col. Mark O'Donnell, 1st BCT commander. "The hope is that we can get enough volunteers to get the whole job done in one day."

Lindsey Paranzino was overwhelmed with joy because of the support that she received from 1st BCT Soldiers and Families who volunteered to help with her home renovation.

"I have been trying not to cry all day, because there is no family like your military Family," she said.

Making Army Families a top priority has been a goal for Mark O'Donnell and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Belda, 1st BCT senior enlisted adviser, since they arrived in the unit. This fact was not missed by volunteers at the Paranzino project site, particularly Jill Bruce, a 1st BCT spouse who was critical in the effort to coordinate volunteers for the project.

"I think there's absolutely nothing like being a part of an Army Family, but I say that in the broad of term of what an Army Family is," she said. "Because I think there's something very special, especially in 1st Brigade. I think that there's an incredible, innate sense of wanting to volunteer and support -- it always starts from the top."

The best way Lindsey Paranzino could comprehend the outpouring of support was by giving credit to her late husband's sacrifice.

"I didn't earn this; he did. He earned this for us. It's the only way I can temper the guilt of having such a good life without him here with me," she said.

Bruce explained the selfless mentality that comes with being a member of the Army Family.

"I think when you're in a situation where you aren't the spouse that needs the help, the least you can do is help the ones that need it. You never know when it could be you," she said. "You might not even really know them, but when you're in the Army Family, they'll be there. It doesn't matter; people will be there."

Although the labor support from 1st BCT was essential to the project's success, it would have been impossible without the help of the Home Depot Foundation's contributions.

Earlier this year, the organization announced that it would launch its fourth annual Celebration of Service Campaign, in which Team Depot volunteers would put their talents to work to transform more than 1,000 homes for veterans across the country from 9/11 through Veterans Day; the Paranzino project was one of those homes.

Since 2011, the Home Depot Foundation has invested more than $80 million to provide safe housing to veterans, and along with the help of Team Depot volunteers, has transformed more than 12,000 homes for veterans.