Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms. High 84F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 82F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.

Preston Kaplan and his wife, Nicole, get a first look at their new bedroom in their new League City home Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The nonprofit organization Home For Our Troops donated the home to Kaplan, a U.S. Army sergeant who was wounded in Iraq in 2008. The home features widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower, and user-friendly kitchen amenities.

The Kaplan family enters a new League City home for the first time Saturday. The home, donated by Homes For Our Troops, features special adaptations to alleviate mobility and safety issues found in traditional homes.

A new house in League City was donated by the national nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops to U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan and his family Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The organization builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans.

People gather to welcome U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, as he approaches his new home from Homes For Our Troops.

U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan thanks Homes For Our Troops and the organizations that helped with his family’s new house in League City on Saturday. Kaplan was severely injured in 2008 while serving in Iraq.

U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan reacts to the unveiling of a new gun safe in the garage of his new League City home Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

United States Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan, center, cuts the ribbon to his family’s new home in League City on Saturday. The home was a donation from the nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops to Kaplan, who was wounded in Iraq in 2008.

Nicole Kaplan, left, and her husband, Preston, a U.S. Army sergeant who was wounded in 2008 while serving in Iraq, admire the artwork in his new home office Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The Kaplan’s received a new house in League City from Homes For Our Troops with adaptations for wheelchair access.

A “Welcome Home!” cake is part of the celebration for the Kaplan family Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, as they are welcomed to their new house from Homes For Our Troops.

U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan holds his daughter, Eliana, as he greets those who came out to show their support at his family’s new home in League City on Saturday. The home was donated by the nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops as part of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Retired Army Brig. Gen. Tom Landwermeyer, president and CEO of Homes For Our Troops, helps U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan raise the flag at Kaplan’s new League City home Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

Friends, family and locals escort U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan and his family to their new home in League City on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

Preston Kaplan and his wife, Nicole, get a first look at their new bedroom in their new League City home Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The nonprofit organization Home For Our Troops donated the home to Kaplan, a U.S. Army sergeant who was wounded in Iraq in 2008. The home features widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower, and user-friendly kitchen amenities.

The Kaplan family enters a new League City home for the first time Saturday. The home, donated by Homes For Our Troops, features special adaptations to alleviate mobility and safety issues found in traditional homes.

A new house in League City was donated by the national nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops to U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan and his family Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The organization builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans.

People gather to welcome U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, as he approaches his new home from Homes For Our Troops.

U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan thanks Homes For Our Troops and the organizations that helped with his family’s new house in League City on Saturday. Kaplan was severely injured in 2008 while serving in Iraq.

U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan reacts to the unveiling of a new gun safe in the garage of his new League City home Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

United States Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan, center, cuts the ribbon to his family’s new home in League City on Saturday. The home was a donation from the nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops to Kaplan, who was wounded in Iraq in 2008.

Nicole Kaplan, left, and her husband, Preston, a U.S. Army sergeant who was wounded in 2008 while serving in Iraq, admire the artwork in his new home office Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The Kaplan’s received a new house in League City from Homes For Our Troops with adaptations for wheelchair access.

A “Welcome Home!” cake is part of the celebration for the Kaplan family Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, as they are welcomed to their new house from Homes For Our Troops.

U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan holds his daughter, Eliana, as he greets those who came out to show their support at his family’s new home in League City on Saturday. The home was donated by the nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops as part of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Retired Army Brig. Gen. Tom Landwermeyer, president and CEO of Homes For Our Troops, helps U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan raise the flag at Kaplan’s new League City home Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

Friends, family and locals escort U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan and his family to their new home in League City on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

Hundreds of people waving U.S. flags gathered Saturday morning to greet U.S. Army Sgt. Preston Kaplan as he arrived at his new home with an escort by League City police and fire units and the Patriot Riders.

The Clear Springs High School Charger Choir also was on hand.

Homes For Our Troops, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization founded in 2004, paid for and donated the home to Kaplan. During the event, representatives from the organization, sponsors of the project, a representative from U.S. Rep. Randy Weber’s office, state Sen. Larry Taylor and state Rep. Greg Bonnen spoke about the organization and the sacrifices service members and their families make.

H-E-B’s Operation Appreciation, which has partnered with the organization to help with 35 Texas homes, decorated and furnished the home and even stocked the pantry.

“We always enjoy the opportunity to team up with this great organization and honor those who served,” H-E-B Senior Director of Public Affairs Lisa Helfman said. “We want to help our veterans live their best lives and we are so grateful for their sacrifice and this is a small way we can say thank you.”

Kaplan also was given $7,500 to go toward a golf cart by CKD’s Golf Carts.

“This is not charity,” retired Brig. Gen. Tom Landwermeyer, CEO of Homes For Our Troops, said.

“We must repay a debt to those who served and put their lives on the line for our freedom. It is our obligation to honor their sacrifice.”

After some speeches by the organization and sponsors, Kaplan spoke.

“I am so humbled and honored today,” he said. “I feel like a king.

“This means everything to me. I always planned to serve in the military, but following the events of 9/11, I was more compelled than ever to fight for my nation.”

Kaplan’s family raised the U.S. flag above their new home, cut the ribbon and took a tour.

Kaplan joined the Army as an infantryman right after high school and was deployed to Iraq twice, first in 2005 and again in 2007.

On April 29, 2008, during his second deployment, Kaplan was on a mounted mission with the 1st battalion of the 502 Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 101st Airborne Division’s second brigade, when his vehicle was struck by an explosively formed projectile, which resulted in severe damage to his right leg.

“After my injury, I was confused and angry and did not know what my life would hold next,” Kaplan said.

Kaplan underwent more than 60 surgeries within 18 months, working to salvage his right leg, before he decided to undergo amputation.

By 2011, Kaplan was able to walk on a prosthetic and continues to live an active lifestyle — running, scuba diving, skydiving, golfing, fishing and hunting. He also studies Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Gracie Barra Texas.

Despite his active lifestyle, Kaplan found it difficult to navigate his house. His wheelchair wouldn’t fit through doorways, or under counters and countertops were too high, preventing him from doing basic tasks we take for granted.

Each home by the organization features more than 40 major special adaptations, including lowered countertops and accessible appliances, roll-under access, widened doorways and hallways, pull-down shelving, vinyl plank floors, a roll-in shower, automatic doors, a therapy tub and a master closet/safe room.

The organization believes these modifications will alleviate Kaplan’s difficulties.

The financial freedom of the home also is set to benefit Kaplan’s wife, Nicole, a former non-commissioned officer in the Army, and their daughter Eliana, born in April 2018.

“It was very difficult for Preston go room-to-room in the old home and he would try to make sacrifices for me, limiting his mobility to not inconvenience me,” Nicole Kaplan said. “This modified home will make our lives so much easier and bring us all closer together.”

Since returning home, Kaplan has obtained two degrees in process technology and manufacturing engineering from Lee College. In 2021 he began an internship with LyondellBasell Industries, one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world.

He also enjoys volunteering in his community and supporting fellow veterans. He also is involved with Mighty Oaks, a faith-based organization that supports veterans. In January 2020, Preston and Nicole ran the Houston Marathon for Team Homes for our Troops.

Homes for our Troops has completed 338 homes in 43 states, with 50 of those in Texas, marketing associate Teresa Verity said. For every dollar donated to the organization, 90 cents is put back into veterans services.

All the homes are 2,800 square feet, which can be configured as either four bedrooms, two bath; three bedrooms, a bonus room, and two bath; a kitchen in the front of the home; or a kitchen in the rear of the home.

Veterans who receive donated homes pay no fees and have no mortgage, but are responsible for property taxes. Homes For Our Troops also provides the veterans with a financial planner for three years to assist with budgeting and financial planning. Homeowner education courses and a home warranty also are offered to ensure the veterans are successful long-term homeowners.

To qualify for the program, a veteran must have sustained an injury in the Iraq-Afghanistan theater after 9/11, retired or be in the process of retirement from the military, received a letter of eligibility from the Veteran’s Affairs Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program, pass a criminal and credit background check and make the home their primary residence.

Trace Harris: 409-683-5247; The Daily News galvnews.com or on twitter at TraceH_news

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Your comment has been submitted.

There was a problem reporting this.

Real Names required. No pseudonyms or partial names allowed. Stand behind what you post. Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to read or post comments.

Start your morning with the top headlines each day.

Receive email alerts anytime there is breaking news or a severe weather alert.

Get the latest local and national sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.

Plan your fishing trips with Capt. Joe Kent's Reel Report every evening.

Receive Laura Elder's Biz Buzz direct to your inbox every Sunday.

Receive the daily weather forecast and the weekly outlook in your inbox each morning.

Receive an email notification each time resident weather expert Stan Blazyk writes a new article.

ICYMI is a weekly newsletter highlighting stories from the past week. Wether they were the most important, most read or most talked about we want to make sure you read them. ICYMI also features select historical content.

Receive the most recent obituaries every afternoon.

Get a link to the latest e-Edition delivered to your inbox each morning.

Receive updates on the latest issues of Coast Monthly.

Receive the latest Dear Abby column in your inbox each morning.

Receive special offers from The Daily News and select partners including discounts, contests and more.

Check your email for details.

Invalid password or account does not exist

Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account.

Thank you. Your purchase was successful.

A receipt was sent to your email.