For Aaron and Deb Jacinto, the decision to exchange wedding vows in the backyard of their HFOT home was easy—to them, the home is more than just a roof over their heads or a place to hang a hat.
“It’s not just a house,” Aaron says. “It’s where we’ve celebrated milestones, faced challenges, and built a future. This home has provided stability, independence, and security, allowing us to focus on our family, careers, and well-being.”
In August of 2019, they were married with a blessing from a Kahuna Pule, a Hawaiian spiritual leader who served as the officiant to celebrate Aaron’s cultural heritage in a ceremony that remains a cherished memory.
“Our home is situated at an angle that allowed the sun to set behind us. Aaron and I are not formal people, so having a low-key event for family and friends was everything we wanted,” Deb recalls.
Aaron, an executive assistant in the healthcare industry, and Deb, who works for an insurance company, and their daughters, 17-year-old Cressy and 14-year-old Cora, are even more thankful for their beloved home after Aaron was diagnosed with service-related cancer several years ago.
“After the initial shock of a cancer diagnosis, I experienced the common fear that my family needed me. It was my duty to care for them. But because of this home, they were and are cared for. They have a mortgage-free roof over their heads. We didn’t have to worry about making payments while also ensuring the treatments were properly paid for. What I feel is even more important is that the home comes with a community. The HFOT community supported us and supported Deb during that difficult time,” Aaron says.
On this Valentine’s Day, as we recognize and celebrate love in all forms—of each other, our communities, and our country, HFOT would like to thank our donors and supporters for providing Veterans the life-changing gift of a safe and secure forever home.
For Aaron and Deb, the impact of their HFOT home is immeasurable. “The generosity of HFOT donors doesn’t just change lives—it empowers families to thrive.”
Happy Valentine’s Day from Homes For Our Troops.
Learn more about the impact of an HFOT home at www.hfotusa.org/impact.