Three Tennessee families of fallen heroes get mortgages paid off for Memorial Day
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Three families who lost loved ones in the line of duty will have their mortgages paid off this Memorial Day.
Tunnel to Towers, a New York-based foundation that serves families of fallen heroes, will be paying off mortgages in full for the families of Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Harris, Army Sgt. John Castro, and Dickson County Sheriff Sgt. Daniel Baker.
Officer Harris, a U.S. Army veteran of 25 years, died from cancer which was attributed to his military career. He served as a combat engineer and Apache pilot, and was one of the few pilots trusted to participate in special ops flights under the cover of darkness, according to Tunnel to Towers. He left behind his wife, Mandi, and three daughters—who now have a mortgage free home in Clarksville.
Sgt. Castro was on his third tour in Afghanistan when his unit was attacked in 2011. He had been with the Army since 2004 and left behind his wife Delia and two children.
Sgt. Baker was a U.S. Marine who was shot and killed in 2018 while serving for the Dickson County Sheriff's Office. His wife, Lisa, told Tunnels to Towers she's honored that her late husband's sacrifice isn't forgotten.
“I hope that without the financial burden, I will be able to take the time for self-care, and mental health awareness, and begin another chapter in our journey to healing," Lisa Baker said.
Tunnel to Towers is paying off a total of 30 mortgages for Gold Star families across the U.S.
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