In 1951, Thomas Pressley was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. The South Carolina native completed Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, before making his way over to Korea. Thomas served in the 75th Field Artillery Battery C and earned the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars during Active Duty. He earned the rank of Private First Class before being honorably discharged in 1953.
Thomas made Washington, DC, his new home during the transition back to civilian life. Although he served in the Army, Thomas took up a Janitorial career at the Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. His two primary interests outside of work both then and now are automobiles, movies, travel, and home improvement projects.
Now, at nearly 90 years of age, Thomas tries his best to live safely and comfortably in his home. His nephew lives with him, and they both can attest to the deteriorating conditions they’ve been subjected to over the years. Extensive damage caused by termites has compromised the quality of the floors throughout the house, which continues to grow in its potential as a hazard.
Purple Heart Homes will be assisting Thomas and his nephew with renovations throughout the entire house to restore a sense of refuge and eliminate any sense of burden. When asked about what this intervention from Purple Heart Homes means to him, Thomas tells us, “The renovations made by Purple Heart Homes would give me total happiness, because the house will be like it’s new all over again.”
Thank you, Thomas, for your dedication and patriotism to our nation. Welcome to the Purple Heart Homes family!
