Murphy and Purple Heart Homes raise money for Korean War vet

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY - Senator Terrence Murphy, in collaboration with Eugene Parrotta, executive director of the newly created Purple Heart Homes New York Down State Chapter #1,  organized a fund raising dinner for 83-year old Korean War Veteran Stephen O'Loughlin of Yorktown to help make his home handicap accessible by installing railings to his front and back porch. The dinner was held on Friday night at the Yorktown Heights VFW Post 8328.

"The best part of this job is being able to give back to the community, especially to those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf," Senator Murphy said. "I will continue to fight to keep heroes like Stephen O'Loughlin in their homes, not only by making Westchester and the Hudson Valley more affordable for all but more accessible for those in need."

Korean War Veteran Stephen O'Loughlin served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 working with the Corp of Engineers. During his service he received a Korean War Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal and a National Defense Medal. 

He suffers from diabetes and had his left leg amputated below the left knee in 2013. He has mobility issues with steps getting into his front door and up to his bedroom. 

O'Loughlin, a lifelong Yorktown resident met his wife Noleen, 76, when she came to the United States from Ireland to work as a nanny. They met at the Irish American Club and have been married for 56 years and raised five children. 

When they were newlyweds, Noleen's parents in Ireland passed away leaving two younger brothers and an older sister. Stephen and Noleen brought the young brothers, who were ages 11 and 12, to the United States and raised them as their own. 

Senator Murphy said he wants to continue working with Purple Heart Homes to provide services to veterans in need, and continue supporting other programs that provide housing and services to veterans. "The O'Loughlins have earned each and every measure of comfort and I am proud to partner with Purple Heart Homes to help provide the services needed to keep them in their home," he said. 

"We need funding for these and other veterans services, like the New York State Veterans Home at Montrose, sacred ground where other veterans live," Murphy said. "That's why I am fighting to increase funding for Montrose in this year's budget after years of cuts, and I have also sponsored legislation to prevent the federal government from selling any portion of that property for luxury condominiums."

The focus of Purple Heart Homes New York Down State Chapter #1 is to help older disabled Veterans that own their own homes living in Duchess, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, Orange and New York City area make their homes handicap accessible by installing railings, putting in ramps when steps become obstacles, widening doorways and making bathrooms handicap accessible. The group says they provide a safe barrier free-living environment to enable older Veterans to remain in their own homes without having to consider costly alternatives. 

The organization is currently seeking donations, as well as volunteers to help with projects for older veterans in the community and identifying older veterans who need a ramp, railings, doorway widened, a bathroom made handicap accessible or a yard cleared out that has hanging branches on the roof and old shrubbery that needs to be cut back or removed.

Purple Heart Homes is a 501 c3 founded by Dale Beatty and John Gallina, two Iraq combat wounded veterans that remain on a mission to provide housing solutions to service connected disabled veterans and their families.