Marine Corp Veteran Receives a Free New Roof

By Alec Doniger. 

The banging from the workers on his roof was music to this veteran’s ears. 

Melvin Washington, Sr., a veteran living in Richmond, Virginia had been living under a roof in abysmal conditions. His roof had been penetrated in several different areas and he was constantly finding leaks. “Squirrels have cut a hole in it,” Melvin said. “And those squirrels are running all over, up and down the wall, and you could hear 'em in the house and it was annoying. But the work crew could also see the roof was leaking at three or four different places," Washington told Channel 6 News Richmond. It was time for a new roof. 

Thanks to the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project, partnered with Purple Heart Homes, Melvin now has a roof that will last him many years. “It feels like a miracle. That goes to show all of us God is good,” said Melvin.  

More than 400 veterans have received new roofs since the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project started in 2016. That number is only growing as the selfless people at Owens Corning continue to find other people in need.  

The contractor chosen for the job was The Walter D. Witt Roofing Company. "It's just something we are able to do to honor and show respect for those who have served and given us a lot of peace in this country," Chris Witt, owner of Walter D. Witt Roofing, told Channel 6. 

"God put people in other people's way to help them to live a comfortable life on Earth," Washington said. "And I'm so proud that I was chosen to be one of those people." With a new roof over his head and his optimistic attitude, Melvin is happy to be living inside his peaceful home. 

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About Alec 

Alec is a reporter for RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop and AskARoofer. When he isn’t investigating the state of the roofing industry, you might find him playing drums with his bands in Denver. 

Photo credit: Channel 6 News, Richmond