Bank, veterans charity gift Sterling vet with home

STERLING HEIGHTS — Upon leaving military life about a decade ago, retired U.S. Army Sgt. Darrell Kingsberry Jr.’s life, in his words, had “been up and down,” sometimes fortunate and other times not-so-fortunate.

At one point he was homeless for a year and had to couch-surf or live in his car. Eventually, he was able to get back to work and get back on his feet, thanks in part to a good support system.

“I had some people looking out for me,” he said.

As a wounded veteran, Kingsberry was able to apply for the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Homes4WoundedHeroes program this past spring. He said he heard back from the organization by the summer and then moved around two months ago from Beaverton, Oregon, to his new home in Sterling Heights.

Kingsberry said he was “overwhelmed and just grateful” to hear the news.

“I was feeling like I was on cloud nine getting that phone call,” he said.

Kingsberry, who was born in Texas and has lived in multiple states, said he joined the U.S. Army in 2005 and served until he medically retired in 2013, and his service included deployments to Kuwait and Afghanistan. For his service, he has received military awards such as an Army Commendation Medal, as well as an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars.

Kingsberry said he suffered a back injury while on patrol, adding that he toughed it out at first. But when he was on the back lines, he discovered that he “had all kind of bulges in my spine. My spine was curving to the right.”

As a wounded veteran, Kingsberry was able to apply for the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s  Homes4WoundedHeroes program this past spring.  He heard back from the organization by the summer and then moved around two months ago from Beaverton, Oregon, to his new home in Sterling Heights.

The MWSF, founded in 2007, aims to help combat-wounded vets and Gold Star families with struggles adjust back to civilian life. MWSF Executive Vice President Casey Kinser explained that veterans can sometimes struggle to obtain housing, especially if they’ve been wounded in combat.

“As veterans are transitioning out of the military, many of them have been on base housing throughout their career,” Kinser said. “Especially the (wounded) veterans, their income potential has decreased, and often spouses have to become caregivers, so owning their own home isn’t always a realistic option for them.”

Kinser said Bank of America donated the property to her foundation, and the foundation selected Kingsberry as the veteran to receive it. She added that she was present when he got the keys to his new home, adding it’s “always a great day” to see these events in person.

“You can almost see the weight lifted off their shoulders and just be able to finally have a place to call their own and plan for the next chapter of their lives,” she said.

Scott Stran, a senior vice president and senior relationship manager at Bank of America, said the bank is grateful to give back to those who served the U.S.

Stran added that Bank of America also helped get the home ready for its new residents.

“We will help stage the home; we will help furnish it; we will stock the pantry … just to make it feel like a homecoming, make it turnkey, where it’s livable day one,” he said.

Kingsberry said he, his wife and their dog have since been settling into their new home in Sterling Heights and getting their belongings arranged just right.

Learn more about Bank of America’s programs by visiting bankofamerica.com/militarysupport. Find out more about the Military Warriors Support Foundation by visiting MilitaryWarriors.org.