Thanks to the efforts of Richfield Bloomington Credit Union and several credit unions and organizations throughout the state, the Minnesota Credit Union Network presented a new specially-adapted home to a wounded Iraq war veteran on Sept. 1. Sgt. Marcus Kuboy received the keys to his new house in Woodbury in the culmination of a service project coordinated by Homes for Our Troops and the Credit Union National Association.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty was on hand at the key presentation ceremony to speak on behalf of the state of Minnesota and to thank Sgt. Kuboy for his service, praising the countless other past and present individuals serving in the U.S. military.

In addition to the financial support, hundreds Minnesota credit union employees contributed to the project in the form of hard labor, taking part in a three-day “build brigade” to complete much of the home’s exterior construction in June. Another crew of volunteers returned in August to plant shrubbery, install a sprinkler system, and help with landscaping. Ground was broken on the home in April.

Sgt. Kuboy is a Minnesota native. A member of the Minnesota National Guard, Sgt. Kuboy was severely injured in March 2007 when an improvised explosive device exploded under the vehicle in which he was riding. The home was specially adapted for Sgt. Kuboy and was built at no cost to the Kuboy family.

“This project has personified the main philosophy and principles of credit unions. Every day credit unions serve their members in a way that meets each person’s unique needs,” said Mark D. Cummins, President & CEO of the Minnesota Credit Union Network. “This one project may be completed but credit unions’ service to our veterans is far from being over.”

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