One of America's Most Decorated Women Veterans Honored on Anniversary of 9/11 with Mortgage-Free Home in Texas

Retired Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans, a passionate veterans' advocate, Purple Heart recipient, and founder of Team UNBROKEN, once commanded 30,000 troops in Afghanistan. She was gifted the Northlake home by the nonprofit Building Homes for Heroes in partnership with Hillwood Communities and Highland Homes.

ARGYLE, Texas, Sept. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On the 24th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, Building Homes for Heroes and Hillwood Communities unveiled a new mortgage-free house, built by Highland Homes, for an American hero, Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Gretchen Evans, and her family. The occasion was marked by a patriotic home-gifting ceremony attended by hundreds of community members, as well as high-ranking veterans' advocates and local leaders.

Command Sgt. Maj. Evans is a highly accomplished veteran with numerous honors, including the 2022 ESPN ESPY Pat Tillman Award for Service, induction into both the U.S. Army Women's Hall of Fame and the U.S. Veteran Hall of Fame. She is also a recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and many other military awards and commendations, making her one of the most decorated women veterans in American history.

"Being given a mortgage-free home is an incredible gift, and I am truly grateful," said Command Sgt. Maj. Evans. "My family and I would like to thank our friends at Building Homes for Heroes, Hillwood Communities, and Highland Homes, who are all just as committed as I am to uplifting and supporting our country's veterans, and honoring their experiences, challenges, and victories."

In addition to Command Sgt. Maj. Evans, the speakers at Thursday's ceremony included Andy Pujol, Founder and CEO of Building Homes for Heroes; Garon Bruce, Vice President of Construction at Highland Homes; Former Undersecretary of Defense for the Middle East Simone Leeden; retired NASA astronaut and United States Navy SEAL, Chris Cassidy; and Dr. Courtney Carpenter, Superintendent of the Argyle Independent School District.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Evans exemplifies what it means to persevere and remain unbroken, no matter what obstacles she has had to overcome," said Pujol during his remarks. "She is an incredible person, and we are honored to be able to support her and her family by giving them a permanent place to call home."

The ceremony opened with a grand procession featuring local first responders, fire trucks and police vehicles, a marching band, motorcycle groups. The parade culminated in the home gifting ceremony and remarks in front of Command Sgt. Maj. Evans' new home, where a parachute team conducted a coordinated jump from the air to deliver the house's key to Command Sgt. Maj. Evans and her husband.

Other notable attendees included Hillwood Chairman Ross Perot, Jr., Denton County Judge Andy Eads, and students from local Argyle Independent School District schools, who were bused in for the day's events. Staff from the offices of U.S. Representative Brandon Gill, U.S. Senator John Cornyn and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz were also present at the day's events.

"My father always said that service does not end when a soldier returns home. It is our responsibility to continue standing beside them. His commitment lives on through The Perot Companies and Hillwood," said Ross Perot, Jr., Chairman of The Perot Companies and Hillwood Companies. "It is an honor to celebrate Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans' service with Building Homes for Heroes, our Hillwood Communities team, and Highland Homes."

"We are honored to celebrate our 7th home built in partnership with Building Homes for Heroes and Hillwood Communities," said Aaron Graham, President of Highland Homes. "Each one represents more than just walls and a roof—it's a tribute to the resilience and sacrifice of our nation's veterans."

About Retired Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans

At the height of her esteemed 30-year career in service, Command Sgt. Maj. Evans' life changed in an instant. A mortar blast fired by insurgents rendered her unconscious. She became deaf in both ears, and sustained a traumatic brain injury, along with severely debilitating and chronic physical wounds. The attack effectively ended her esteemed military career.

But Command Sgt. Maj. Evans' character is marked by her desire to excel beyond what is believed to be possible. As one of the most decorated women veterans in U.S. history, Evans has continued to tirelessly advocate for fellow veterans, despite the trauma she endured that ended her 30-year career. After a long journey through recovery, and with help from her service dogs, Command Sgt. Maj. Evans captivates audiences by blending wisdom, encouragement, and humor to inspire injured veterans while traveling the world to share her story of resilience. Notably, she has appeared on Bear Grylls' "World's Toughest Race," leading the first mixed-ability team to compete in the global challenge. She is also the founder of Team UNBROKEN, an adaptive athletic team composed of individuals who have faced serious injuries, illnesses, or disabilities.

ABOUT BUILDING HOMES FOR HEROES

Building Homes for Heroes builds and gifts mortgage-free homes, and completes home modifications, for veterans, emergency first responders and their families, and provides further services along their road to recovery to help them live a promising and fulfilling life ahead. The organization reached a 96% program rating in 2024, the 12th straight year earning a program rating of at least 93%. It also received a perfect 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for seven straight years, including a 100% in transparency and accountability. Since inception, Building Homes for Heroes has constructed, modified, and gifted more than 425 homes, with support from corporations and groups including Lowe's, Chase, SAIC and many more. Learn more at buildinghomesforheroes.org. 

ABOUT HILLWOOD COMMUNITIES

Hillwood, a Perot company, is a premier commercial and residential real estate developer, investor and advisor of properties throughout North America and Europe. With a diverse portfolio of properties and home to many of the world's leading companies, Hillwood is committed to bringing long-term value to our customers, partners and the communities we serve.

Through its Communities division, Hillwood has delivered 50,000 single-family lots in master-planned communities across 13 states and Costa Rica. These communities continue to raise the bar in terms of quality, innovation, and the unmistakable sense of community that sets each property apart. Before laying the physical groundwork for any new residential development, Hillwood Communities takes the time to focus on the ideals that draw people together — and the everyday interactions that strengthen those bonds. By purposefully designing trails, gathering spaces, and structural amenities to spark spontaneous encounters and foster shared interests, Hillwood Communities believes in the power of community. For more information, please visit www.hillwoodcommunities.com.

ABOUT HIGHLAND HOMES
Founded in 1985, Highland Homes is an employee-owned company and one of the largest, most trusted single-family homebuilders in the nation. Building nearly 4,000 homes across Texas each year, Highland is known for award-winning architecture, quality craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Highland is a 10-time People's Choice Builder of the Year, a multi-time Home of the Year recipient, and has been honored by the Dallas Morning News as Best Builder and Best Luxury Builder. In 2025, Highland ranked No. 6 on Home Builder Executive's list of the largest private homebuilders in the U.S., ranked No. 14 on Fortune's Best Large Companies to Work for in Texas list and is proudly Great Place To Work® Certified. For more information, visit highlandhomes.com.

Contact:
David Weingrad
516-643-0325
[email protected] 

SOURCE Building Homes For Heroes