The rain stayed away Saturday for the key ceremony welcoming Staff Sgt. Jason Letterman and his family of Hinesville to the home built to meet the injured Iraq war veteran’s needs.

Sunshine and brisk air accompanied the family as they were escorted into the neighborhood, and a crowd of well-wishers and volunteers, who heard from Congressman Jack Kingston, members of the build team and the veteran himself.

Massachusetts-based Homes for Our Troops (HFOT) spearheaded the build, which was coordinated locally by Sharon Williams, a military spouse and friend of the Letterman family.

“I have never seen the community come together like this for any other soldier before,” said Williams, who has lived in Hinesville since 2003.

For more, pick up a copy of the Feb. 16 edition of the News.