Ceremony at Mariner High precedes groundbreaking for soldier’s new home

CAPE CORAL, Fla.- Hundreds gathered at Mariner High School Thursday afternoon where Army Sgt. Corey Kent was honored with a ceremony fit for a hero.

“It’s a little surreal coming back here after 10 years,” said Kent, a Mariner High alum. “I never thought I’d be speaking in front of the entire student body.” 

The soldier was injured in 2010 when he stepped on a roadside bomb while serving in Afghanistan. He lost both his legs and some of his fingers during the explosion.

On Thursday, he returned to his alma mater to celebrate the groundbreaking of his brand new home.

“I know me and my fiance are super excited for the house,” Kent said.

The smart home will begin a new chapter for Kent.

“Just the space and the independence and not needing her to be around constantly if I need help with anything,” Kent explained. “It just takes it to the next level of what I am going to be able to do for myself.”

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation has teamed up with Cape Coral builder Aubuchon Homes to build Kent’s house equipped with technology that will allow the veteran to control windows, shutters, and even the lights with an iPad.

“They are true heroes and yet they don’t look at themselves like heroes,” said John Hodge, with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

“Sgt. Kent really sacrificed, as many do for our nation and we felt as a home builder, the least we can do is give back to him,” said Gary Aubuchon, president of Aubuchon Homes.

The house will be dedicated to Kent and his fiance on Sept. 11.