A new beginning for a local veteran and a true hero. Staff Sgt. Ben Webb’s home was demolished on Thursday. It was a home that was quite literally crumbling around him.

Webb bought the Union Beach home in 2019. But did not know about the issues that it had. The house settled 6-10 inches in just five months. The walls were cracking, and the floors were buckling beneath him.

“Another contractor had come in and basically run off with most of the money without completing the project. Only doing about 20%, in fact,” says Tim Ferguson, of Hale Built.

This is when contractors from Hale Built stepped in.

“It became clear with Tunnels to Towers that he would be a recipient of a smart home and a grant,” says Ferguson.

Soon Webb will have a new house to call home.

“He paid a great debt to our country,” Ferguson says.

Webb served as a Marine for 15 years. He did four tours – one in Iraq and three in Afghanistan. Tours that changed his life forever.

“He’s suffered multiple – up to 15 - traumatic brain injuries. And multiple shrapnel wounds, of which he’s still having surgeries for,” says Ferguson. “He’s also suffering from a form of cancer that has been a result of his service.”

Webb’s new home will take about five months to build. He is now staying in temporary housing at Naval Weapons Station Earle. He is receiving assistance from the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation and Semper Fi Santa.