Groesbeck, Texas
9/11 Anniversary 2007
September 6-9, 2007
“[Once] you go through it, you understand why you need to keep going forward and keep paying it forward.” – John Bolton, 2003 California wildfire survivor
The Vincent family is an extraordinary American family. Three generations have run assisted-living centers for Disabled Veterans out of their homes, and the Vincents comprise nearly one-quarter of the 40-member Volunteer Fire Department of Groesbeck—a town of just 4,000 people half way between Dallas and Austin and just east of Waco.
On December 29, 2006 a deadly tornado ripped through the Vincent family compound, damaging one of the veterans’ homes and destroying the home where James and Eva Vincent lived with their 14-month old son Hunter and five of the veterans. Sadly, one of the Veterans died in the tornado, but Eva’s quick actions literally saved the lives of her young son and the other men in her care. The house, originally hand built by James’ grandfather, sustained major damage in the storm and was rendered unlivable. Since Groesbeck was not declared a federal disaster area, the family was not eligible for FEMA or other government assistance to rebuild. That’s where The New York Says Thank You Foundation came in.
On the 9/11 Anniversary 2007, New York Says Thank You brought volunteers from New York and around the United States to help rebuild the Vincent home. With the help of Bob McCain Homes of Limestone County Texas, Rogers-O’Brien Construction of Dallas, and over 60 building suppliers and contractors from across the State of Texas, James, Eva and their young son returned to a beautiful home built with the hard work and love of scores of fellow Americans from across the Lone Star State, and as far away as New York, California, Illinois, Louisiana, Indiana, Wisconsin and Montana.
