Photo shows Beasley with his granddaughter many years ago. His granddaughter is now 18-years-old.
CULLMAN – Jeremy Hogan is known for helping fellow Marines, but just recently he came across someone who needs a lot more help than he alone can give. What started out as a simple project to build a wheelchair ramp for a local Vietnam veteran has turned into a crusade for Hogan to help his brother-in-arms get everything he needs.
U.S. Marine Cpl. Kenneth Beasley has been down on his luck for quite some time. He lost his left leg to diabetes and is about to lose his right foot to gangrene. He has been having mental health issues and is not able to take care of himself. When Hogan first heard that Beasley needed a new wheelchair ramp, he went right to the man’s house to see what kind of supplies he would need. When he arrived, he saw a veteran, a hero, who was in dire need of much more help than just a new ramp. He needed help to survive.
“When I found him he was living in filth and his right foot has gangrene set up in it,” said Hogan. “I talked him into letting me get him some hospital care, so I contacted the VA’s care advocate who helped me get him into the hospital where he is getting the healthcare he needed.
“Cpl. Beasley has been having a rough time taking care of himself,” he continued. “He has gone too long without help and feels the government has failed him. Let's show him that the American people haven't failed him.”
When word spread of Beasley’s situation, people from all over Cullman County began offering their help. On Saturday, Jan. 30, volunteers met at Beasley’s residence and began cleaning up the property, as well as the home.
“We have started cleaning, which will take until this next weekend to finish up,” Hogan explained, “then we will move to the repairs. Once we get the place clean we will then do some tree trimming and yard excavation to help with water and tree damage. Next we will build two decks, one 12×10 with a ramp and then one a 10×10 with ramp. The windows and doors might need replacing. Carpet and flooring are needed, as well as metal siding and gutters for the roof and skirt going around the outside.”
“His bathroom needs to be handicap-accessible, so we need a bathtub he can get into and rails put in, along with a wider door to get to the bathroom,” he continued. “His washer and dryer need replacing and he has little or no kitchen utensils, a garbage can, cleaning supplies, food and mattress for his queen bed. He needs living room furniture and all light fixtures replaced. The outside needs painting as well as the inside. Plumbing needs to be checked. His heating and air conditioning need to be replaced, and the driveway needs asphalt and grading work. We also need to dig a ditch around his home and driveway to give the water a place to go besides under his house and down his driveway.”
Hogan hopes to have all the repairs completed before Beasley is released from the hospital. In the meantime, he can use all the help he can get.
Below is a list of materials needed for Cpl. Beasley’s home:
- Lumber for two decks with ramps and stairs
- Front and back doors for trailer (handicap-accessible)
- Interior doors x3 (handicap-accessible)
- Vinyl flooring
- Interior and exterior paint (paint colors to come soon)
- 2 exterior light fixtures
- 2 exterior flood lights
- 3 interior light fixtures
- 1 ceiling fan
- Kitchen cabinets (handicap-accessible)
- Windows for a single-wide trailer
- Sheet metal or tin to repair roof
- Gravel for his driveway
- Asphalt company for the driveway
- 6" corrugated pipe for French drain
- Feed lot panel (sheep/goat)
- Chicken wire
- Lumber for chicken coop
- Green house materials
- 8×10 storage shed
- Chickens / Chicken feed
- Plants for landscaping (would like to plant a few fruit trees too)
- Energy efficient light bulbs
- Bathroom pedestal sink
Types of companies from which the group is hoping to get donations (need contacts):
- Prosthetics
- Wal-Mart Distribution
- Hardware
- Clothing
- Furniture
- Wheelchair / Home Health
Volunteers with the following skill sets are needed:
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Carpenters
- Painters
From one American hero to another, Hogan has chosen to do what it takes to help a fellow Marine. Humble and kind, he takes no credit for the good work he has started, but rather chooses to use his works as a way to glorify God.
“I pray to our Lord and Savior that he will guide each and every one of us in the path he so chooses and allows us to shelter this great American veteran and his family,” he smiled warmly. “I pray that God will give me the strength to keep doing what I am doing to help this man.”
Those who are interested in volunteering should call Hogan directly at 352-440-4076. For more information, visit http://qrne.ws/marine. There is a work day scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Click here for more details and to sign up: http://qrne.ws/workday.
