Wish Granted for Wounded Soldier's Family
When Adele Lester sent her 23-year old son, Specialist Walter Lester, off to war, she hoped it wouldn’t be the last time she would see him. Her worst nightmare nearly came true, though, when she received a call that Walter was involved in a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan. He was seriously injured, but was the only one of his five-member company to survive.
The soldier’s mother, a 50-year old Ellenwood resident, now spends her time traveling back and forth from her home in Atlanta to Washington, DC’s Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
“Adele has always put others’ needs ahead of her own. As a single woman she adopted three teenage boys from Atlanta’s foster care system, including Walter,” Vicki Lester wrote when she nominated her sister for the Angie’s List Wishmakers program.
“Ms. Lester has spent so much time taking care of others that she hasn’t had a chance to take care of the little things around the house, like a broken sink or damaged floors,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List. “That’s where the Wishmakers program and its group of highly rated service professionals step in to help those in need.”
Atlanta area plumber, Nick Marine, owner of Marine Plumbing, jumped at the chance to help a wounded warrior. Marine, a retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief, agreed to donate his services to replace Lester’s kitchen sink and install a garbage disposal, a small luxury she has never had.
“There was never a question in my mind as to whether or not I was going to help out. I’m always privileged to help those in need, especially when he’s a fellow brother in the Armed Forces,” Marine said.
To complete the job, Marine called in reinforcements from American Standard who graciously donated the sink and fixtures. While it isn’t a huge request, American Standard CEO, Don Devine, recognizes the importance of it.
“The best part is making life a little easier for Adele during this most trying time,” Devine said. “We are thankful for her son’s service to our nation.”
Two other Atlanta-area businesses also came forward to help give Lester’s home a little TLC.
*Photos courtesy Neighbors Newspapers