U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Corey Collins, who served in Afghanistan, got a warm hero’s welcome at his family’s new home in Washougal on Monday morning. After medically retiring from the military last month, the 36-year-old traveled cross-country with his wife and 5-year-old son to move into the house.
“We’re very appreciative of the community and everybody who brought this together,” Collins said.
Patriot Guard Riders lined the driveway carrying flags as the Collins family drove up to the home on U Street, which was decorated with more American flags and banners. The mortgage-free home is the ninth — and the first in the Pacific Northwest — donated by U.S. Bank through its partnership with Freedom Alliance’s Heroes to Homeowners program.
“This is overwhelming but really means a lot,” said Collins’ wife, Katie Collins.
Tom Kilgannon, Freedom Alliance’s president, said Corey Collins served in the Army to protect the American dream, so it makes sense to thank him by ensuring he gets to live a big part of that dream: homeownership.
Collins was proactive about entering the military. After serving in the National Guard part time and working at a fire station, he applied to be in the Army Reserves. When paperwork was taking too long, he called up a general and said, “ ‘You’ve got to make this happen, Sir,’ ”Kilgannon said.
Upon entering active duty in 2009, Collins became a combat medic in Afghanistan’s Wardak Province, where the Army was trying to clear roadside bombs to ensure safe passage for military vehicles. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.
The experience, Kilgannon said, left Collins with the “invisible wounds of war” — post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury, which was treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. While there, Freedom Alliance, based in Washington D.C., encouraged the family to apply for the homeownership program.
They were accepted by the program and made their journey home into a road trip. For nearly a month, the Collins family traveled in a 17-foot trailer, stopping to enjoy sites including Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and Seattle. Most recently, they stayed a week at Beacon Rock State Park while the house was getting set up.
“They’re an adventurous couple,” Kilgannon said.
When Corey and Katie Collins got married, they toured part of the country on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. So, they were enthused about the presence of Patriot Guard Riders at Monday’s ceremony. Katie Collins said she’s excited to try out her paddleboard, perhaps at nearby Lacamas Lake. The couple enjoy kayaking, hiking and fishing — making Washougal a fitting place to call home.
They both hail from Michigan, though they have family in Portland and in Lyle.
Katie Collins was wide-eyed as she toured the newly remodeled home. The four-bedroom house, built in 2002, used to be a foreclosure home owned by U.S. Bank. The inside was remodeled, and the backyard was landscaped with a bamboo border that gives them plenty of greenery and privacy.
The gifts didn’t stop at the house, though. After Washougal Mayor Sean Guard let the community know that the couple were moving in, local businesses and organizations stepped up to welcome them. There were quilts from Zion Lutheran Church, a new bike for the couple’s son, Liam, from Camas Bike and Sport, and gift certificates for massages and hunting and fishing trips. The local American Legion installed a flag on the house.
“They’ve gone through a lot. They definitely deserve it,” said Naphtali Murphy. Her husband, Anthony Murphy, served in Afghanistan at the same time as Corey Collins. She said they’ve grown close and plan to visit. They might even move to the area after Anthony Murphy retires from the Army; he’s stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Though their furniture was still in a moving truck on Monday making the journey west, the Collinses said they are looking forward to settling in and getting to know the area.
