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Uncertain veteran affected by flooding now has property for home

Longview News-Journal - 5/31/2017

KARNACK - A disabled Uncertain veteran who lost his home in March 2016 flooding now has property on which to put his new home.

Veteran and Karnack resident Mead "Rex" Bramlett recently donated the land to Johnny Rivers.

The gesture was an answered prayer for Rivers and the volunteers at the Caddo Lake Recovery Center, an agency established to assist flood victims.

"In March, I sent a letter to area churches in this area, saying (Rivers) lost his land; we needed some land," said Deb Bates, coordinator for the center. "Mr. Bramlett came in and said: 'I want to help you.'

"So it's a vet helping a vet," she said. "He gave us a choice of several locations. This was perfect."

Bramlett presented Rivers with a deed May 24 at the property.

"He knows the neighbors, he knows the neighborhood," Bates said. "This was where he was raised, and it's perfect."

Rivers, 61, who served in the Navy, said he's "ecstatic" about being able to move back into his community in his own home and newly-donated land.

"I'm ecstatic because it's been a year in progress, and I finally get a chance to see it all come together," he said. "It took an effort from everybody, and I deeply appreciate it."

The less than an acre lot sits on Fason Street.

"I'm definitely going to enjoy it," Rivers said as he looked at the green grass and tall shade trees.

Bramlett said Rivers should be able to live comfortably there.

"I'm glad for you," Bramlett told Rivers as the two chatted inside the new modular home on the property.

Rivers, who lost his arm in a car wreck, said the home is just right for him. The one-bedroom, two-bathroom home is complete with a living room and kitchen.

"It's the perfect size for me because I'll get a chance to put everything in here that I already have and it will fit," he said.

Rivers said after the flooding, he couldn't imagine having his own home again.

"Now I see it," he said..

Bramlett, a former school bus driver and Vietnam Army veteran, said he was happy to help. He immediately felt compelled to offer his land after hearing the Caddo Recovery Center's plea for help at his church.

"I feel that you ought to help," Bramlett said. "You're supposed to. That's what we're taught - help others, and I had this. I looked at this. I thought, 'Well, this would be a nice little place. If you needed it, you could use it.' "

"And I'm happy with the house that's here. It looks good and neat," said Bramlett, noting the land was once the site of another home. "He's got a pretty good foundation here."

Bates said Caddo Recovery Center is happy to be able to help survivors such as Rivers, who was one of its priority clients.

She said in November that Rivers couldn't afford to pay for land or rent with his fixed income.

"He drove a truck for 18 years, so overnight he lost his income and his career (due to the car accident). He lost his vehicle. He was between jobs, had no insurance. We didn't raise as much money as we need, but we raised enough that we were able to buy the modular home that he could live in and function in with his one arm," Bates said in November.

She said the center also is working on its project for its last crisis client, Martina Cervantes, a cancer-stricken widow who needs an elevator to reach her recently elevated new modular home.

Donations to help the Caddo Lake Recovery Center can be mailed to the organization at P.O. Box 444, Karnack, TX 75661.

Donations also can also be sent to First United Methodist Church in Marshall's nonprofit organization, UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), 300 E. Houston Street in Marshall.

Donors can contact the Caddo Lake Recovery Center by email at caddorelief16@gmail.com or by calling (903) 472-8542.

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