Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Operation Finally Home Project Manager Ronnie Lyles (front), Tool City Manager Julius Kizzee, Mabank Housing Authority Chrissy Adams and Mabank City Secretary Kim McClaskey give words of welcome in their “Letters of Love” to the Walker Family June 26.

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
The City of Mabank Chief of Police Keith Bradshaw adds his “Letter of Love” to represent the police department. Bradshaw places his letter by the kitchen window signifying you are protected by the city’s finest.

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Reporter Carla Gray leaves a heartfelt message for the Walkers new home during the Letters of Love event at the home on Lauren Lane June 26. 

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
City of Mabank Mayor Randy Teague writes his “Letter of Love” to the Walker family. Teague is welcoming the family to their new home in Mabank.

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Kelly Blaylock (left) and Owner of Tucker electric Lisa McCaskill stand in the living room area of the Operation Finally Home house being built on Lauren Lane in Mabank June 26.  Blaylock donated the lot the house is built on. McCaskill donated all electrical wiring, ceiling fans, and lighting to the home.

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Mabank City Secretary Kim McClaskey begins Operation Finally Home “Letters of Love” with “God Bless this Family” above the front door June 26.

MABANK–The journey began in Jan. 2024, when a city of Mabank town hall meeting was called to hear about an organization called “Operation Finally Home.”  The organization’s project manager Ronnie Lyles gave a presentation to the city council about who they were and what their mission was. 
Lyles said that Operation Finally Home is an organization that works toward providing a mortgage-free home to those who have served in the military or first responders. The homes are built by contractors, city leaders, and those who are willing to donate towards a mortgage-free home to a military or first responder who has volunteered to protect our nation. Candidates go through a qualifying process and must live in the home for at least seven years. 
The candidate selected for the Mabank home is Johnny Walker and his family. Walker is Iraqi by birth. Walker helped the Naval Special Warfare by serving as a linguist, cultural advisor, and team member on direct-action missions. Walker’s bio on the Operation Finally Home website states that Walker, “lost his front teeth and sustained hip and shoulder injuries in Humvee accidents as well as a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to numerous mortar attacks and improvised explosive device (IED) detonations. After serving in sustained and continued combat missions over the course of his service, Walker also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”
 March 14 saw phase two of the home in Mabank, the groundbreaking. Mabank Mayor Randy Teague commented, “124 years ago when this town was founded, it was done so through the generosity and vision of a couple of men who were just trying to get a railroad to come through their ranch. That is how the city came into existence. And today through the providence of God that railroad reached halfway around the globe to Iraq to bring our newest resident’s home. So, Johnny… Baidaa, welcome to Mabank.” 
Since the groundbreaking, so much has happened at 2412 Lauren Street. The home has a foundation, plumbing, wiring, and roof. So, it is now time for phase three, “Letters of Love.”
“Letters of Love” is the phase where anyone can participate. Community leaders, donors, neighbors, and notes from across the nation are placed on the skeleton walls and studs before insulation and sheetrock are put up. Many of the notes are blessings to the home and family. Thank you notes for their service to our nation, congratulations, and Bible verses were also part of the letters of love. Each paper note will be collected and placed in a book. Notes written directly on the walls were photographed, and those photos will be printed and placed in the book. The book with all the letters of love will be given to the Walkers when they arrive at the home as permanent residents, which will hopefully be in mid-September. 
For more information about Operation Finally Home visit https://www.operationfinallyhome.org/