There's help at home for a Davenport soldier serving in Afghanistan. The foundation of Sgt. Bradshaw Nunnally's house collapsed after last week's rain and his insurance would not cover the damage.
After learning the news, Sgt. Nunnally, who is stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, emailed the City of Davenport's website asking for advice. The City responded quickly, sending Public Works employees to stabilize the house. Then, at the Davenport City Council meeting on July 9, 2014, the Council unanimously approved a forgivable loan for up to $40,000 to make permanent repairs to the home.
"In a normal circumstance, if the home could not be repaired, we would demolish it and send the person the bill. This person happens to be someone wearing the uniform, on active duty, in a war zone--that seemed to be the exactly wrong thing to do," said Davenport City Administrator Craig Malin.
Malin says he has signed a contract worth around $37,000 for the work. The money is already in the budget for demolition purposes.
"The foundation needs to be repaired, there's significant ceiling damage, roof damage, and the foundation fell in. The air conditioning, it fell in, so it needs a new air conditioner as well," said Malin.
"It's a blessing, because I really thought he was going to come home to nothing after serving the country. I was like, 'He's gonna come home to nothing. Nothing at all. Not even a house over his head.' For the City of Davenport to step up, that has actually been wonderful," said Nunnally's girlfriend, Janetta McGowan.
In an email to City of Davenport employees, Sgt. Nunnally said, "I can't express to you enough of the gratitude I feel because of the steps you've made and the actions you've taken on my behalf."
Nunnally is a member of the Army Reserves and has been in the service for 24 years. He was scheduled to return home this July, but his deployment was extended until July 2015.
Work on the home is expected to start Monday, July 14, 2014.