Wounded Marine gets new home in Polson

By Michelle Lovato

Lake County Leader

Uniformed soldiers, family and friends gathered at the Polson Veterans of Foreign Wars Jan. 15 to help welcome Ronan resident Tomy Parker to his new Polson home.

Parker, who was there with his mother, fiancé, his two future stepdaughters, future mother-in-law and a host of other family friends, sat in his wheelchair at the front of the room while Homes for our Troops executive director Bill Ivey and several other dignitaries spoke before officially handing over the keys to Parker’s new home.

Hand built by a variety of construction professionals, Parker’s new home has 155 modifications that will make life for Parker easier and enable him to regain some independence. 

Parker served in the United States Marine Corps in Sangin, Afghanistan. Parker lost both of his legs above the knee and most of his left hand after a bomb exploded during his first Afghanistan deployment in December 2011.

After sustaining his injuries, Parker spent nearly a year recovering from his wounds before returning to Ronan in November 2012. Workers on Parker’s home broke ground a year later.

Parker’s home is mortgage-free and was the first home in the program turned over in 2015. His home is about 2,650 square feet and cost about $430,000 to build, Ivey said. 

Parker’s mother, Lisa Corbett, surprised Parker and his two stepdaughters with an unexpected surprise at the presentation.

While getting to know their new stepfather and step grandmother, sisters Eva, 5, and Olivia, 6, came across two clay handprints Parker had made in first grade. At the key ceremony Corbett brought out those two clay handprints and when Parker saw them, he was immediately familiar with the story. 

After re-telling that story Corbett gave each child one hand print as a welcome to Parker’s family and to their new home.

Corbett then gave Parker and his girlfriend Amanda Hout a wall sign that read: “Keep up the Faith,” a message she wanted to deliver to Parker and his new family for the rest of their lives.

“Never stop believing that everything happens for a reason,” Corbitt said.

After the ceremony, a large convoy led by Parker and law enforcement officials drove to Parker’s new home in rural Polson when the ceremony was completed.

Corbett said she that Parker got his key Saturday and she helped to move him in 24 hours later.