Volunteers build ramp at Hobart veteran's home

HOBART, Ind. (WLS) -- A veteran in need got some much needed help from his community Friday morning.

Marine Joe Pajonk is a proud military veteran struggling every day just to get in and out of his Hobart home. He uses a walker and wasn't able to access his home very easily, but some volunteers changed all that.

"I was injured in a training accident back in 1975 in Parris Island, South Carolina and at the time they didn't think it was as extensive as it was," Pajonk said.

But for hope arrived for the Marine on Friday morning. A few pieces of wood and some nails - along with several huge hearts - transformed his old deck into a ramp, courtesy of Habitat for Humanity.

"Our focus several years ago was to serve one veteran a year in a home. And we've expanded it into doing ramps for veterans and people that are in need and it's great that the city of Hobart partnered with everyone to make this happen," said Dan Klein, executive director, Habitate for Humanity of Northwest Indiana.

The mayor of Hobart even picked up a crowbar to help. It's something so simple, but it will change Pajonk's life.

"This means freedom as far as getting to my Marine Corps league meetings, my DAV meetings and hospital appointments and stuff like that, and just getting around. I'm not stuck in the house and limited to what I can do and stuff like that. I'm not a prisoner in my own house," Pajonk said.

The man who did a great service for the country is now surrounded by good people hoping to pay a little back.

Five people who helped build the deck are from the BP refinery based out of Whiting. It's part of their veterans outreach program which they started three years ago.