Tunnel to Towers Foundation Delivers Mortgage-Free Smart Home to Injured Mississippi Veteran
[SOUTHAVEN, MS] June 25, 2025 – Join the Tunnel to Towers Foundation on June 25 at 1:00 PM to welcome Mississippi U.S. Army National Guard Sergeant William Brooks into his new mortgage-free smart home in Southaven, Mississippi.
“I’m living in a condo about a mile from where the home is being built. Tunnel to Towers is building me a forever home in my hometown,” said Sgt Brooks. “I’m looking forward to the kitchen, cooking, having room to store my pots and pans, room out back for a ceramic grill, and a smoker.”
SGT Brooks was born and raised in Southaven, and his family still lives locally. He joined the National Guard in 1999, inspired to serve by his grandfathers, who were World War II Veterans. He was home when the world changed on September 11th, 2001.
“My mom woke me up, and I saw the second plane hit. I knew my number would be called, and I would go to war. I was angry, 19 years old, and ready to fight,” said SGT Brooks.
He was called up in July of 2004 for training at Camp Shelby, MS, and deployed to Iraq in early January of 2005. On March 29, 2005, he was driving in a convoy roughly 25 miles from his forward operating base to Baghdad when his vehicle hit an IED.
The blast blew the engine out of the Humvee, and SGT Brooks lost both of his legs. His life was saved by his fellow Soldier, Sergeant Richard Anthony. SGT Anthony, who had civilian EMT training, was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and a meritorious promotion for saving Brooks’ life.
SGT Brooks flatlined twice and required 48 units of blood in 48 hours as doctors worked frantically to keep him alive. He would spend the next 13 months recovering at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., before medically retiring from the military.
SGT Brooks returned home and continued his desire to serve by running for office in his hometown. He was elected to the board of aldermen and proudly served for 12 years.
In recognition of his service to our country, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation will be handing over the keys to a new mortgage-free smart home on June 25th.
You are invited to join us in welcoming this American hero into his new forever home.
The Tunnel to Towers Smart Home Program builds specially-adapted, mortgage-free smart homes or renovates existing homes to help our most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders reclaim their day-to-day independence.
These homes feature zero thresholds, motorized doors, and keyless entry for easier access. The homes’ lights, temperature, security, and sound system can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app or touch screens throughout the house. Wide doors, hallways, and bathrooms are designed for easy navigation.
For more information and to support Tunnel to Towers’ mission to build homes for America’s heroes, visit T2T.org and consider donating just $11 per month.
About the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries out its mission to “do good,” by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Tunnel to Towers is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to Never Forget September 11, 2001. Visit t2t.org to learn more.