The Heath Family

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt Geoffrey Heath was born in and raised in Miami, Florida.  Seeking excitement and adventure, Heath joined the military in 2003. He graduated boot camp in 2005 and was assigned to his first unit, 3rd FAST Company in Yorktown, Virginia.

In training for his first deployment, Heath was injured in an accident, which resulted in severe health issues. Heath spent the next eight months going to rehab and physical therapy instead of deploying with the men he trained with. However, Heath didn’t give up and overcame the pain. Shortly after, Heath and his family moved to California to work with a new unit. He was finally able to deploy to Ramadi, Iraq, in September 2005. In March 2006, Heath was hit with an enemy ricochet fire in the legs and helmet. This major injury earned Heath a Purple Heart. Three years later, Heath was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Marjah, Afghanistan. He suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), multiple injuries on his right side and lost peripheral field vision in his right eye.

Heath’s courageous journey earned him two Combat Action Ribbons, two bronze Afghanistan campaign medals, two Iraqi campaign medals and many more. Heath was known in the field for his strong work ethic, moral character and guidance. He eventually retired after almost ten years of military dedication.

Although Heath is unable to work full time due to his disabilities, he actively volunteers for the nonprofit organizations Disabled American Veterans Charity, Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation and the 03XX Foundation. In his spare time, Heath enjoys refinishing firearms with his father. He wishes to continue supporting his wife, Lara, and their three children, while striving for a complete and successful recovery.

Operation FINALLY HOME and PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program are honored to come together to provide Geoffrey Heath and his family with a home to call their own Estero, Florida.