LIHBCDC introduces six veterans chosen for homes for subdivision at ceremony located in "Veterans Way" in Islandia

Long Island Home Builders Care Development Corp. (LIHBCDC), the charitable arm of the Long Island Builders Institute, today introduced six heroes of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars chosen to buy deeply discounted, newly constructed homes in what is believed to be the nation's first subdivision built exclusively for veterans. The medaled veterans, two Army and four Marines, were introduced with their families today at a ceremony at the 3.5-acre subdivision dubbed "Veterans Way" in Islandia, where construction is underway. The six veterans, whose lives have been an uphill battle since their return from the battlefields, were chosen from among 130 applicants by a panel of Veterans of Foreign War commanders. "We are pleased to introduce these heroes who with their families soon will have beautiful homes to call their own," said Edgar Goodale, chairman of LIHBCDC. "Without these homes, these veterans might have been forced to move off Long Island and away from their families. The veterans chosen for the new subdivision are: * Army Staff Sgt. Jason Broyles, 33, of North Bellmore, who is married with two children. He remains on active duty with the Army Reserve on Long Island. * Former Marines Staff Sgt. Shawn Hunkins, 27, of Bohemia, who is married with three children. He attends Dowling College and works for the IRS. * Former Marines Lance Cpl. Paul Milazzo, 28, of Ronkonkoma, who is married and expecting a child. He is working toward a degree in recreational therapy at St. Joseph's College and works at a head trauma treatment center. * Former Marines Sgt. Eric Petry, 28, of East Islip, who is married and has a daughter. He is now a calibration technician at Expil Calibration Labs in Bohemia. * Former Marines Sgt. Thomas Schreiber, 32, of East Rockaway, who is married and has a son. He is now a federal corrections officer in Brooklyn. * Former Army Cpl. Timothy Ward, 33, of Bayport, who is married and has two children. He is head of construction and coating inspection services at H2M in Melville. The Veterans Way subdivision is being built on a 3.5-acre parcel on the south side of Motor Parkway, west of Old Nichols Road. Islandia-based CA Technologies donated the land. Islandia Mayor Alan M. Dorman has been extremely supportive of the project and says he is thrilled to have the first subdivision of its kind in his village. Each of the homes will have three bedrooms and will be fully landscaped when completed; some will be customized to accommodate those with disabilities. Each of homes will cost $199,000; they would sell for $400,000 or more if purchased on the open market, according to LIHBCDC. "One of the many hurdles facing returning veterans is finding an affordable place to live and anchor their lives," said Lois Fricke, LIHBCDC director of development. "Our program is keeping these heroes and their families on Long Island." The charity, which began its project, "Building New Homes for Returning Veterans" in 2009, previously constructed two low-cost homes for veterans on Long Island, in Lake Ronkonkoma and Sound Beach. More are planned. The homebuilders group still needs to raise about $500,000 in donations to complete the project. "The infrastructure costs are phenomenal," said Fricke, adding that the subdivision site, on a hillside, required substantial leveling to prepare it for construction. Other infrastructure costs included gas and water lines for the subdivision. The group also is counting on businesses for in-kind donations, such as building materials and labor. LIHBCDC also announced that six homebuilders chosen to oversee construction of each of the homes. They are: Ornstein Leyton Co., of Garden City; Benchmark Home Builders, of Huntington Station; Lewis Enterprises, of E. Northport; Almas Construction Corp., of Wading River, Beechwood Organization of Jericho, and Alex Armonas Development Corp., of Huntington. Shown standing (from left) are: Nick Zoumas of Almas Construct; veteran Tim Ward; John Ryan of Beechwood Org., veteran Eric Petry; Alex Armonas of Armonas Development Corp., Mark Baisch of Landmark Properties; Ira Tane, of Benchmark Properties; Alec Ornstein and Henry Alai or Ornstein-Leyton Co. Shown kneeling (from left) are: George Lewis of Lewis Enterprises, veterans Thomas Schreiber Jr., Shawn Hunkins, Paul Milazzo and Jason Broyles.