Volunteers help Iraq veteran
By Saundra Sovick

REYNO -- An "extreme makeover" has begun on the home of a U.S. Marine Corps corporal injured in Iraq.

Volunteers turned out on Saturday and Sunday at the home of Cpl. Chris Shelhamer, who was seriously wounded in action in January 2006 during his third combat tour with the Marines. Shelhamer received a medical discharge and a hero's welcome when he returned to Northeast Arkansas last month.

The remodeling has already turned up pecan floors under the living room carpet that workers say they plan to refinish. Another project -- an addition for shop space -- was also begun on Saturday. Volunteers expect to have the roof of the addition finished today and will return in a few weeks to continue work on the remainder of the job.

Kitchen cabinets were brought into the house on Sunday, and materials to construct a deck adjoining a new breakfast nook have been donated.

According to Shelhamer, two professionals -- Scott Zeitner of Rusty Nail Renovations and Robert Reed of American Spirit Enterprises Inc. -- were instrumental in coordinating the weekend's volunteer labor force.

Among the volunteers on Sunday were Shelhamer's wife, Amanda; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Beth and Dean Barr; his sister-in-law, Olivia Barr; and Randy Davis and James Brown of the Arkansas National Guard's 875th Engineer Battalion. Additional friends, family and fellow veterans also volunteered, as did members of the American Legion's Pickett Post No. 21 based in Jonesboro.

ssovick@jonesborosun.com

Ellie