Dale Beatty, Co-Founder of Purple Heart Homes, Dies Suddenly at the Age of 39

STATESVILLE, N.C., Feb. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- It is with great sadness that Purple Heart Homes announces the sudden death of its beloved Co-founder, Dale Beatty, of Statesville, NC.

Dale Beatty and John Gallina joined the North Carolina National Guard in 1996. During their service to our nation both Beatty and Gallina had the opportunity to respond to calls from the Governor of North Carolina to help victims of Hurricane Fran and Hurricane Floyd, as well as to the call from the President of the United States to defend our country against terrorism by serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On November 15, 2004, both Dale and John were severely injured in Bayji, Iraq, when the Humvee in which they were riding together on a mission exploded. John suffered severe brain and spine injuries. Dale, who became a double amputee, spent a year recovering at Walter Reed Army Hospital before returning home to Statesville, North Carolina. His and John's journey together is one of friendship, service, courage and leadership. Their shared experiences in the National Guard created a strong sense of community and instilled a humanitarian spirit to give back and make a difference in the lives of Service Connected Disabled Veterans. Together they formed Purple Heart Homes, a veteran-owned and veteran-operated non-profit to provide safe and accessible barrier-free environments in homes for disabled veterans.

Dale loved his family, his friends, his community, and his fellow-man. He was a wonderful father, husband, brother, son, friend, Patriot, veterans' advocate and role model. He believed in a life of service to others, and his passion for the Purple Heart Homes' mission – to provide housing solutions for Service Connected Disabled Veterans that is substantial in function, design and quality fit to welcome home the fighting men and women of America – led to his tireless work on behalf of the organization.

Dale was named a 2013 Top Ten CNN Hero, and he won the Stonewall Jackson Award in 2012. He and Gallina have been featured in stories by Time, AARP Magazine, Reader's Digest, and other media outlets. He was the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation 2014 Citizen Honors Award, Daughters of the American Revolution DAR Medal of Honor in 2012, Carolina's Freedom Foundation Patriotism Award in 2011 and Hope for The Warriors Hope & Courage Award in 2011. He sat on the board of directors of Fisher House.

Dale served as Purple Heart Homes' Chairman of the Board from 2008-2015 and as Strategic Development Officer from 2015 until his death on February 12, 2018. As the company approaches its 10^th anniversary in August 2018, it will recognize the more than 300 veterans and their families whose lives have been positively impacted by the work done by Dale, John and Purple Heart Homes. Dale had a tireless passion for helping disabled veterans and his personal mission was to grow the organization throughout the United States. "To honor Dale's commitment, Purple Heart Homes will continue to build upon – and expand -  its efforts to serve as many Service Connected Disabled Veterans as possible," said John Gallina, Co-Founder & CEO, Purple Heart Homes.

Survivors include Dale's wife Belinda, his children Dustin, Lucas and Sophia, his parents, Selene and Jerry Beatty and his sister, Amber Hepler (Michael). A public viewing will be held Friday, February 16, 2018 at 12:00 noon, followed by a service at 2:00pm, at Western Avenue Baptists Church, 1206 Museum Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

About Purple Heart Homes
Purple Heart Homes is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by Dale Beatty and John Gallina, two Iraq combat wounded veterans who remain on a mission to provide housing solutions for Service Connected Disabled Veterans that are substantial in function, design and quality. Purple Heart Homes has two programs: Veterans Aging in Place (VAIP), which encompasses the Operation Veterans Home Renovation Project (OVHR), and The Veterans Home Ownership Program (VHOP). From building a ramp for wheelchair-bound veterans to providing home ownership opportunities to veterans with physical as well as invisible injuries, Purple Heart Homes' programs are designed out of necessity and fit the specific needs of veterans of all ages and from all eras, helping them to live and age in place, in their own safe, accessible and sustainable homes. For more information, visit www.phhusa.org. Purple Heart Homes – Improving Veterans' Lives One Home at a Time.

SOURCE Purple Heart Homes

Related Links

www.purplehearthomesusa.org