Top, Navy veteran Justin Hendrickson carries his wife, Jennie, across the threshold of their new home Saturday. Above, Justin and Jennie cut the ceremonial ribbon celebrating their new home with retired Tom Landwermeyer, a retired brigadier general and Homes for Our Troops president/CEO. Hendrickson lost a leg serving in Iraq and his wife is a brain cancer survivor.

HARRISVILLE — Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin Hendrickson received a hero's welcome when he returned home from Iraq in 2005.

While on a resupply mission in Al Anbar Province, Hendrickson's vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device. He lost his right leg and has used a prosthetic or wheelchair ever since.

Justin received a second hero's welcome Saturday morning at a house along Creek Bottom Road. He and Jennie, his wife and a recent brain cancer survivor, were seeing their brand-new, fully-adapted house for the first time.

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home didn't cost the couple a cent. It also doesn't have a mortgage on it.

“I'm in shock right now,” Justin told dignitaries, donors and families Saturday. “I haven't been in shock since I was bleeding out in Iraq.”

The house was built through Homes for Our Troops, a national nonprofit association that provides custom homes to severely injured post-9/11 veterans.

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Retired Brigadier General Tom Landwermeyer is president and CEO of HFOT. He reminded visitors Saturday morning soldiers already sacrifice their freedom to preserve the freedom of others.

That sacrifice continues when they return home with life-changing disabilities.

“They can't get everywhere in their home,” Landwermeyer said. “And that impacts their independence and freedom.”

With 41 adaptations like wheelchair-wide doorways and cabinets that pull down, HFOT houses are built so veterans can be independent.

Justin has trouble accessing rooms with carpet, stairs or narrow doorways. Still, he managed to get around the home he and Jennie owned for several years. When Jennie was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, the Hendricksons knew they'd need help.“When you're going through stuff, it's best to ask for help,” Justin said.“Honestly, I wouldn't want it to be any different,” Jennie said. “God blessed both of us with a second chance.”Local general contractor Scott Martin worked on the Hendricksons' home. He presented them with two gifts during the Saturday ceremony. One was a horseshoe he found pointing toward the foundation during excavation. The other was a shadow box made of studs from the home that were signed by the construction crew.“I was proud to be a part of your house,” Martin said. “Welcome home.”Friends and family offered encouragement to the Hendricksons before they cut the yellow ribbon across their front door. American Legion Post 474 in Zelienople presented the Hendricksons with a $10,522 check.

Members of the several patriot motorcycle groups, Harrisville and Grove City police departments, Harrisville and Slippery Rock volunteer fire departments and Superior Ambulance Service escorted the Hendricksons to the ceremony from the Grove City Outlets. The Shenango Valley Chapter of the Penn-Ohio Singers sang the national anthem and other tunes.A celebration followed the ceremony, during which public tours of the house were given. It's one of 13 built in Pennsylvania and the 282nd HFOT home built in the U.S.Landwermeyer said an estimated 2,000 veterans still need adapted homes across the country.

The Hendricksons begin moving into their new home this week. Of all the things he'll be able to do in their new home, Justin is most looking forward to being able to have coffee on his back porch. Jennie said the first meal she'll prepare in their new home will probably be one of Justin's favorites: lasagna or beef stroganoff.The couple encourages veterans who qualify for Homes for Our Troops to become part of the program. Their experience has been “seamless” and they know what it's like to need help.“Don't be afraid to reach out,” Jennie said. “It's a family.”“You got to roll with the punches,” Justin said.

When a veteran and his or her family move into an adaptive home:- Over 90 percent of veterans regain some or most of their independence- The rate of employment increases by 67 percent for veterans and 300 percent for spouses or caregivers- The rate of pursuing education increases by 57 percent for veterans and 82 percent for spouses or caregivers- Family income increases by 37 percent- Family debt decreases by 58 percent- Family savings increase by 57 percent- The rate of marriage increases by 20 percent- The rate of veterans “paying it forward” increases 55 percent.SOURCE: Homes for Our Troops

Above, Navy veteran Justin Hendrickson carries his wife Jennie across the threshold of their new home Saturday 08/03/12. Hendrickson, who lost a leg serving in Iraq, and his wife, a brain cancer survivor, recieved the home through Homes for Troups.

Members of local veterans' motorcycle clubs bow their heads for prayer at Saturday's ceremony awarding Justin Hendrickson and his wife, Jennie, their house from Homes for Our Troops. The couple arrived at their new home with a full escort of multiple motorcycle clubs, police and other officials.

U.S. veteran Justin Hendrickson and his wife Jennie's new home.

Navy veteran Justin Hendrickson and his wife, Jennie, get ready to raise the American flag at their new house in Harrisville as part of a ceremony Saturday.