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By Chuck N. Baker
(Las Vegas) — One might assume an 88-year-old married woman and her 85-year-old Army veteran husband, who served during the Korean War era and now enjoys playing the saxophone, has seen most everything in their years together. But you know what they say about assumptions.

The couple was pleasantly surprised when the home they’ve lived in for many years was one of several chosen to be revitalized, at no cost to them! This was made possible through the Las Vegas affiliate of the national organization, “Rebuilding Together.” The work was completed this past April, when National Rebuilding Month is celebrated annually.

Frank and Norma McDuffie presented their story to the Rebuilding Together team hoping their home would be selected. But they figured the story of their ups and downs in life was typical of thousands of others. They were married on Valentine’s Day 50 years ago, raised three sons and a daughter. They purchased their home in 2002 and later suffered several bouts of health issues and other family hardships. A theft of essential parts from their air conditioning unit left the house sweltering in the summer adding to their woes. When word finally came that a Rebuilding team would be upgrading the McDuffie property, the couple was stunned to learn their dream came true.

Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada focuses on safe and healthy housing. It serves to transform the lives of low-income homeowners by rehabilitating existing homes to improve overall health and safety. Executive Director Bob Cleveland said, “Our work extends far beyond the four walls of the home to impact the health and vibrancy of people’s lives and entire neighborhoods.”

Outside of the house on a day filled with sunshine, dozens of exuberant men and women volunteers from Wells Fargo Bank, the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals and other companies worked in the yard and on the home’s exterior to compliment work that had already been accomplished inside. Hands and arms were blurred in continuous motion providing modern, uplifting touches to the property.

Frank McDuffie was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He was sent to Germany to work in the Medical Corps where he served four years but did not take part in Korean combat. He often thinks about friends who did serve in the war and did not survive in Korea. He remains proud that he at least served during that turbulent time. He is aware that all who were in the military at the time contributed in their own way in shoring up America’s resolve to confront our nation’s enemies.

Frank and Norma McDuffie were interviewed several times by Rebuilding Together representatives to determine their economic situation and to review plans for potential critical repairs needed on their home. Work included air conditioner repair, plumbing upgrades, installing exterior electrical units, installing safety rails in the bathroom, installing fire extinguishers and latest model smoke detectors, fixing windows that were non-operational, replacing dead plants with drought tolerant landscaping and removal of an empty, unused hot tub from the back yard. Jason Matthes of the Rebuilding group only half-humorously said, “If (anything) weighed more than two pounds, we thew it away!”

Capping off the physical work, employees of Wells Fargo arrived with an oversized bank check representing a donation of $90,000 to Rebuilding Together. When reviewing the activity of the volunteers and the unselfish donations of various companies, Frank McDuffie exclaimed, “Las Vegas is more than just plain gambling.” And that’s a sure bet.