NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — Retired Staff Sgt. Oscar Guerra is enjoying every moment of his current mission. 

“It’s a blessing, it’s a blessing to be physically there with my kids, every stage of their life,” Guerra said. 

It’s a peaceful day but in this New Braunfels home, Aug. 2, 2007 is never far from his mind. 

“It was an absolute honor to spend the last 12-13 months with them. I always carry their memory with me,” Guerra said.  

Serving a second tour as an infantryman during Operation Iraqi Freedom, an improvised explosive device (IED) near Baghdad changed his world forever.

In August 2007, serving as an infantryman in Operation Iraqi Freedom, an IED exploded near his vehicle in Bagdad, killing several members of his Battalion and injuring Guerra. (Spectrum News 1)

“I see all of these wires and tubes coming out of me. I think we just had a bad day,” Guerra said. “I didn’t know how bad of a day it was. My injuries were nothing compared to the deaths that took place this day.”

The blast killed several members of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, and injured eight others. Guerra’s left leg suffered severe damage and needed to be amputated below the knee. 

As thousands of injured veterans can attest, adjusting to life after is a battle in itself. Guerra spent the next 10 years working non-combat roles and finding ways to live with mental and physical trauma. 

“All the angles in the last home I was in, there was no way I could turn left or right,” Guerra said. 

Having his part of his left leg amputated, Guerra says injured veterans struggle with finding homes where they can live comfortably. (Spectrum News 1)

After a decade of adjustments, an army teammate informed him of a nonprofit organization aimed at making injured veterans’ lives easier.  

“Michael Gower, he basically showed me that Homes For Our Troops would build us a home because he was also injured that day,” Guerra said. 

Along with an assist from local companies, MW Christian Builders LLC and HEB Supermarkets, the 20-year veteran received a fully funded, adaptable home last month with more than 40 modifications.

“There are wide spaces so you are able to fully mobilize yourself,” Guerra said. “They put in brackets so you can slide down the shelves and trays. The best part, I love this roving shower. I never had these types of luxuries unless I was in the hospital getting treatment.” 

This specific project represents 51 donated homes to wounded warriors in Texas. Retired Brigadere General and nonprofit President and CEO, Tom Landwermeyer, has plans to add to it. 

“They shouldn’t have to fight through challenges in their own home,” Landwermeyer said. “It should be a place of respite and our mission is to give every one of these veterans a home and if we can do that, our work is done.”

Last month, Homes For Our Troops provided Guerra and his family a fully customized home in New Braunfels with more than 40 modifications. (Courtesy of Homes For Our Troops)

While Guerra is still getting settled into his new life, the 46-year says he’s thankful for what he has gained and the peace of mind it has created.  

“This is going to give me so much opportunity to do so much with my family,” Guerra said. “I don’t have to worry about the things I thought I’d have to worry about in life.”