Heath Howes

HOTH Mission

Heath Howes, Veteran

USA – WoT
Wildwood, Missouri – 06-27-19

HOTH – Home Dedication.  We are honored to have been asked, by Operation Finally Home, to escort Spec. Heath Howes and his family to the dedication of their new home.  We were in attendance for the groundbreaking ceremony; now the day has arrived for this deserving family to take possession of their new home. While serving our country in Afghanistan in 2012, Spec Howes’ truck was hit by a 200-pound IED (improvised explosive device) during a vehicle patrol.  The driver, Howes’ best friend, and a soldier sitting across from Howes were immediately killed, while Howes and his Captain sustained life-threatening injuries.  To this day, he cannot recall anything that happened following the explosion.  Howes was honorably discharged in January 2014.   His wife, Savannah, serves as his primary caretaker.   Although recovery is a long process, Howes remains determined to continue healing physically, mentally and spiritually.  In recognition of his courageous military service, Howes had been honored with numerous awards, including a Purple Heart, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two stars, two Combat Action Badges, an Army Commendation Medal and NATO Medal.  Since Howes is currently unable to work, he spends his time coaching his son’s T-ball and baseball teams, giving him a sense of purpose.  His goal is to teach the young boys hard work, discipline and sportsmanship.  As Howes continues to receive rehabilitative care, his wife hopes to eventually return to pharmacy training.  OPERATION FINALLY HOME and Hibbs Homes have joined together to provide Spec. Heath Howes and his family with a custom home.

Wildwood City Hall (East of Hwy 109, South of Hwy 100)

16860 Main St
Wildwood, Missouri 63040

Neil “Nitehawk” Hill

nitehawk.pgr@gmail.com

314-808-2568

Stage 9:00 am on Main St. in front of City Hall.  Ride briefing to follow.  Hwy 109 has construction at Hwy 100, one lane across the bridge. We will escort the Howes family to their home dedication at 9:45 am KSU.  Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am. Cages will have a limited amount of parking at the home site, so carpooling is strongly encouraged.  Motorcycles will park on the street and we will walk back to the home site, around ½ mile uphill. Flags and support provided by Jim “One Gun Shy” Kleszczewski.  Weather is expected to be mostly sunny, with an afternoon high of 90 degrees.  It is important to stay hydrated, before and during.