A hero’s welcome: Southaven celebrates William Brooks’ new home
Army Sergeant William Brooks (middle) raises the flag at his new home in Southaven on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation provided Brooks, a veteran who lost his legs while fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom, with a new, fully furnished home. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
A community gathered in Silo Square on Wednesday to celebrate retired U.S. Army Sgt. William Brooks, a Purple Heart recipient and Southaven native, as he received a mortgage-free smart home from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
The ceremony, marked by heartfelt speeches and emotional tributes, underscored Brooks' unwavering sacrifice and his enduring impact on his hometown.
“Any day you can welcome home a true American hero is a great day,” said Jack Oehm, retired battalion commander from the FDNY and a Tunnel to Towers Foundation board member, who served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
Brooks, a former Southaven alderman, joined the Army National Guard in 1999, and two years later, after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, he put everything else on hold to serve in the Iraq War.
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Tunnels to Towers William Brooks City of Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite Silo Square Subscriber OnlyIt’s GivingTuesday week! Will you join the celebration?
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Brandon LaGrone II
Brandon LaGrone Jr. is a Bluff City native who has earned an undergraduate degree in journalism from LSU’s Manship School. He’s written for publications including The (Baton Rouge) Advocate and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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