A Texas foundation recently honored one of our country’s heroes by providing him with a debt-free house.

In 2009, then 29-year-old Ty Carter was a U.S. Army specialist deployed in Afghanistan. On October 3, 2009, more than 300 Taliban forces attacked Combat Outpost (COP) Keating, where Carter was stationed. The ensuing fight has been called one of the deadliest fights of the Afghan war for American soldiers.

The U.S. Army described the battle as “horrifically close” and “costly”:

The battle for Combat Outpost Keating was over. The men of Bravo “Black Knight” Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division had triumphed over a Taliban force seven to eight times their size, fighting back from the low ground and inflicting massive casualties, even as the enemy breached their wire. It had been a horrifically close call, and the battle was costly. Eight Soldiers had died. More than 25 (about half) were wounded, and almost everyone was left with deep, invisible wounds to their hearts, minds and souls.

Ty Carter received the United States’ highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his heroism during the battle:

Of these men, one Soldier’s gallantry stood out. Without regard to his own safety, Spc. Ty Michael Carter proved himself time and time again. He resupplied ammunition to fighting positions, provided first aid to a battle buddy, killed enemy troops, and valiantly risked his own life to save a fellow Soldier who was injured and pinned down by overwhelming enemy fire. He did all this while under heavy small arms and indirect fire that lasted more than six hours.

Carter’s actions of risking his life above and beyond the call of duty, while engaged in combat against the enemies of the United States, were heroic, and he would be a most deserving recipient of the Medal of Honor for his fearless and decisive actions that day.

The full story of Carter’s courage, bravery, and determination is available at the U.S. Army website.

After leaving active duty in 2014, Carter later settled in San Antonio, Texas. And now, Texas is honoring one of its own.

The Texas Sentinels Foundation “offers support, primarily through the provision of housing and life scholarships, and helps these Wounded Military readjust to civilian life and prosper in their hometowns or new communities.”

The organization has four primary ways in which it helps servicemen and women across Texas: by providing “debt-free housing”; uniting “local community to serve” and assist; offering “counseling and financial stewardship”; and providing “lasting mentorship.”

This month, the Texas Sentinels Foundation gave Carter, now 38, a debt-free home.

The Austin American-Statesman notes the house was made possible due to a unified effort by the residents of Bastrop County, the location of Carter’s new home:

The home is also an emblem of the Bastrop community, which has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of materials from dozens of sources: Bluebonnet Electric Co-op donated a transformer; Texas Aggregates donated fill and paving material; Lowes gave doors and windows; Burg’s Septic donated a system; and the Lost Pines Leathernecks gave their labor.

“The people of Bastrop and others outside of Bastrop have really stepped up,” said Bill Taparauskas, a Cedar Park resident who served as the project’s general contractor.

Hopefully a permanent home and the support of his new community will provide relief and peace of mind for Carter, who has been open about struggles with post-traumatic stress since the battle.

June 27th is National PTSD Awareness Day in the United States. Carter is a motivational speaker who works to remove the stigma associated with PTSD and to encourage any soldiers suffering to seek counseling.

The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent those of any other individual or entity. Follow Sarah on Twitter: @sarahmquinlan.