LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – The Lynchburg Area Veterans Council is working to improve the childhood home of a famous World War II hero in order to help other veterans.
The house that sits at 1309 Garfield Avenue in Lynchburg is around 115 years old. Inside it are the people and plaques that tell the story of the World War II Hero who was born there.
“In 2019, we found out about this house,” said Thomas Current, Lynchburg Area Veterans Council President. “It’s the birthplace of Desmond Doss, the World War II Medal of Honor recipient whose story was made famous in the movie Hacksaw Ridge. He was born here and lived here until he was 10 or 11.”
As depicted in Hacksaw Ridge, Desmond Doss was a combat medic who refused to carry any weapons. He received the Medal of Honor from President Truman for saving around 75 lives during the war.
“He kept fighting and fighting, saving life, after life, after life,” said veteran Patrick McAdorey. “He didn’t just save American lives, he saved a few Japanese, the enemy, he didn’t care. He was a true religious man.”
After finding out about its history, the Lynchburg Area Veterans Council bought the house and turned it into a home for veterans in need.
“We’re all veterans. There’s a saying that we as veterans take care of our own. So, it’s veterans looking out for veterans is what it is,” added McAdorey.
Since then, it has provided shelter for about eight veterans including Patrick McAdorey.
“For all I know, I could just still be sitting in that lousy pop up camper. It didn’t have rain water, didn’t have a bathroom shower, nothing. So, I’m more than happy to be in this situation,” said McAdorey.
Last winter, a water line burst ruining the flooring on the first level. Through a grant from the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation and free hardwood from the local Home Depot, they are now able to replace the floors.
“When the temperature dropped seven degrees, the pipe burst right there in the dining room and literally destroyed the flooring. So, I would love to be able to keep those 115 year old floors, but we have to restore them,” explained McAdorey.
During his time living there, McAdorey created a mini museum dedicated to Doss.
“I love doing guided tours to show people the real history and the legacy behind the man himself. Me being a soldier who actually decided to lift up a gun, I never had the guts to do what he did. That takes serious courage,” said McAdorey.
McAdorey is now engaged and will soon move out so someone else can take his place and look out for other veterans.
They will begin laying the floor in two weeks and they say it should be complete sometime in February.
