Kathi and Gene Sandburg, a Gold Star family, in front of the home built by GL Homes

Photo credit: Sevin Bullwinkle Photography

It was a day of celebration when the City of Port St. Lucie and GL Homes presented the keys to a mortgage-free new home to Kathi and Gene Sandburg, a Gold Star family.

GL Homes built a 2,435-square-foot home for the Sandburgs on a donated lot by the City of Port St. Lucie. Thanks to GL Homes and its subcontractors, the two bedroom with a den, two bath, two-car garage home was built in 11 weeks. Over 100 people worked over 500 hours to build this beautiful new home that did not cost one penny to the Sandburgs.

The home dedication ceremony featured the Navy Sea Cadets Color Guard, which presented the colors during the playing of the national anthem, and a ceremonial flag-raising conducted by Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 566, St. Lucie County. Port St. Lucie Councilman David Pickett donated and delivered the flagpole and the American flag to the Sandburg family before the ceremony.

The Sandburgs’ son, Petty Officer Brendon Sandburg, a Naval Hospital Corpsman, was assigned to Branch Medical Clinic, Yuma, Ariz., when he perished in a Search and Rescue helicopter training exercise on Aug. 16, 2007. In recognition of his numerous military achievements, Petty Officer Sandburg was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; the Navy Expeditionary Medal; the Combat Action Ribbon; the Army Achievement Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Two Navy Good Conduct Medals; the National Defense Service Medal; three Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbons; and the Navy Expert Pistol and Expert Rifleman Medals.

“Petty Officer Brendon Sandburg served our country with honor and distinction,” stated GL Homes Division President of St. Lucie County Ryan Courson. “GL Homes built this house as a labor of love for Brendan’s parents, Kathi and Gene Sandburg. We thank this Gold Star family for their service and our freedom. Through this home, Brendon will not be forgotten.”