U.S. Army Veteran Gifted Free New Roof

By Alec Doniger. 

Homer Craig received a free roof for his more than 70-year-old home in honor of his service. 

Sometimes we are surprised by an act of kindness that means something important to us. Homer Craig, an 84-year-old army veteran and Hazelwood resident, was recently a recipient of such a surprise. In recognition of his military and community service, Homer received a new roof for his home. 

The roof was one of 360 others gifted by the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project. Since 2016, Owens Corning has partnered with local organizations and contractors to distribute and install free roofs for veterans. For Homer, Owens Corning partnered with Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh. Contractors from Home Genius Exteriors provided the installation. 

“I’m grateful for [Home Genius] and the workers,” said Homer. He was pleased to say goodbye to the roof that had topped his home for 20 years. 

The Hazelwood home has served as a beautiful family residence. Homer and his wife, Ursa Craig, 81, had it built in 1957. This was about midway through the Civil Rights era. The two met several years earlier when Homer was stationed in Germany. Homer is African American, and Ursa is German. Because of the harsh laws surrounding interracial marriage in mid-20th century America, Homer and Ursa married three times — in Germany, Pittsburgh and the South.  

After Homer had completed his service and was honorably discharged, he moved back to his hometown — Pittsburgh. He became a police officer and raised his four kids with Ursa. Soon, the six-bedroom home became the beloved Craig residence. It has been a part of the Craig’s lives for 65 years.  

Thanks to Owens Corning and their Roof Deployment Project, Homer and Ursa will continue to have a safe place to live. This important gift has helped the couple feel seen and respected. In the coming years, the Roof Deployment Project will continue to do the same for hundreds of other veterans.

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About Alec: 

Alec is a reporter for RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop and AskaRoofer. When he isn’t investigating the state of the roofing industry, you might find him playing drums with his bands in Denver.