HM2 Ruben Cervantez

Las Vegas, NV

Home Award Program Recipient

In August of 2003, Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Ruben Cervantez joined the Navy and attended the Naval Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.

Ruben (known as “Doc” to those he proudly served with) deployed to Iraq in 2005 with the 3rd Battalion 25th Marines, Lima Company out of Columbus, Ohio. This unit was sent to the Syrian border to help shut down the main route access for foreign fighters and suicide bombers entering Iraq.

During his three deployments between 2007 through 2009, and significantly during 2005, Cervantez came under frequent attacks by multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), in which he was rendered unconscious. The injuries he sustained from repeated blasts throughout his service led to his medical retirement from the Navy in 2012.

In 2006, Ruben met Becky Zamora in Riverside, Calif., and the two were married in 2009. The couple has four children: Amanda, 17; Amber, 14; Jacob, 5 and Zoey. In January of 2013, a fellow Veteran and friend of Ruben told him about Homes For Our Troops and its Home Award Program, encouraging him to apply. Ruben did just that and a few months later was thrilled to learn that his application was accepted and a mortgage-free home that meets his family’s needs was available for him in Las Vegas.

The home will provide stability to the family, who has frequently moved over the last few years and is currently renting a small apartment. Together, Ruben and Becky are happy to be able to watch their children thrive in their new schools and routines. There are plenty of golf courses in the area for Ruben, and Becky is happy to have a permanent home that she can decorate with her own personal touch.

Ruben is especially grateful for the opportunity of homeownership because there is no stress of paying a monthly mortgage. As he continues his recovery, he plans on spending more time with his family just watching movies or taking trips to the beach.