Carnes Crossroads Welcomes the Brookings
October 13th, 2017
Jeremy and Tia Brooking and their daughters, Mysia and Ava, received a true hero’s welcome October 9th as they drove up to their completed Carnes Crossroads home for the first time. Escorted into the community by the Patriot Guard Riders, they traveled along a U.S. flag-lined street towards a large crowd gathered in their front yard, who greeted the Brookings with applause.
The occasion marked the completion of the Brooking’s mortgage-free home, built by Max Crosby Construction on a homesite donated by the Daniel Island Company. A U.S. Marines veteran who was severely wounded in Iraq ten years ago, Jeremy qualified for housing assistance through Operation Finally Home, an organization that helps facilitate the construction of mortgage-free custom homes for wounded military veterans around the country. Construction of the Brooking home was led by Jamison Howard of Max Crosby Construction, and made possible by the generous donations and contributions of more than 90 vendors and 150 tradesman.
“We all have a responsibility to assist our military veterans, no matter what our proximity is to the battlefield,” Howard said during a ribbon cutting ceremony before the Brookings entered the home.
Among those in the crowd were many residents who were eager to welcome the Brookings to the community.
“Ever since it was announced that you’d be making your home here, there’s been excitement amongst the residents about your arrival,” said Jane Baker, Vice President of Community Services for the Carnes Crossroads Property Owners’ Association. “I’m proud to say this is a very welcoming and caring community… Coming together for an American hero has been our true honor.”
Among the members of the Carnes Crossroads community that have stepped up to help the family transition to their new home are The Passage apartments, which provided rent-free housing for the Brookings to live in while the home was completed, and Northwood Academy and Northwood Church, which participated in both the groundbreaking and ribbon cutting ceremonies for the project and have provided places for education and worship for the family.
Other speakers at the ceremony included several sponsor and contributor representatives, retired Major General Gerald P. Minetti, and the Brookings themselves.
“How can I verbalize my gratitude?” asked Jeremy Brooking. “The answer is: I can’t. Instead I will show you my gratitude by being a devoted husband, father and local community member.”
Before the official ribbon cutting took place, Brooking was presented with a U.S. flag that flew over the Capitol building in his honor by a representative from U.S. Senator Tim Scott’s office. Following the ceremony the Brookings entered the completed home for the first time with a video crew in tow to capture the moment. Inside they found several surprises, including furnishings donated by Southeastern Galleries and a closet full of clothing and accessories from Tanger Outlets. Southern Living magazine and Tanger Outlets are producing a video series about the Brookings and their new home, which debut later this fall.