CHINO – Despite the loss of feeling in his left leg, former Army Spc. Rigoberto Saenz would go back into combat in a heartbeat.

“Even with the way I am, wounded, I would put my uniform back on and I would still go back,” said the 28-year-old Purple Heart recipient.

On Dec. 26, 2006, several improvised explosive devices detonated in Saenz’s vehicle while on patrol during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Although Saenz sustained brain injuries from the explosion, he continued to serve his country.

Then in the fall 2008 he was hit again. This time shrapnel punctured Saenz’s left ankle, causing severe nerve damage to his leg and spinal cord.

“It knocked me out. I went black,” he said. “I woke up in Camp Liberty in Baghdad. I felt like I was dead, and it was dark. I woke up without my weapon, without my clothes – I went from the middle of a town to a bed, it was (traumatic).”

The soldier was medically discharged in early 2009 and came back to California.

Saenz and his wife, Dinora, and their two children – 3-year-old Kimberly and 1-year-old Rigo Jr. – moved to Norwalk then Bellflower in hopes of a normal life. Saenz enrolled in Coastline Community College’s Acquired Brain Injury Program, to help deal with both explosions.

Living in Bellflower was tough, Saenz said. There was no privacy, it was loud, he couldn’t take his kids out to play on the streets and it wasn’t very safe.

But, Saenz said he hopes his new home in Chino will change all that.

On Friday, the Saenz family hosted a housewarming ceremony to celebrate their mortgage-free home that was donated by Bank of America and the Military Warriors Support Foundation, which provide homes to soldiers injured in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 1,795-square-foot, one-story home on the 6700 block of Stonegate Drive has a green front lawn, a living room and family room, kitchen, four bedrooms and a backyard.

“At first I couldn’t believe it, I thought it was a joke,” said Dinora Saenz. “But then when they gave us the keys I was so happy for our family.”

The Saenzes were first notified in early May by the foundation that they would be the recipients of the house.

Dinora Saenz said she hopes this home will provide a new start for her family and husband, who has been struggling with his brain injuries as well as post-traumatic stress disorder, which is common among soldiers who have been in combat.

“In Bellflower any little noise would make him go into a panic. Here, you barely hear a car pass,” said Dinora Saenz.

Neighbor Jenny Negrete said she treats her new neighbors like family. Her husband George and Saenz take walks daily.

“He even comes over for Jacuzzi time,” Jenny Negrete said.

The Military Warriors Support Foundation works with financial institutions such as Bank of America to support its Homes 4 Wounded Heroes Program. The donated homes from Bank of America’s property donation program go to qualified nonprofit organizations and city land banks as part of Bank of America’s commitment to revitalize communities, according to a news release.

Bank of America has committed to donate 24 homes so far.

To assist military customers during the recession, the bank introduced a mortgage principal forgiveness loan modification program for borrowers behind on their payments when leaving active duty, according to a news release.

Saenz said even with his new home, it still doesn’t change what has happened in the past.

“It doesn’t change my problems, and it’s not just me, there’s a lot of veterans out there. I think the main thing is that there needs to be support,” he said.

“I’m grateful that there are people out there caring for us. Unlike back in Vietnam (when) the Americans didn’t support veterans when they came back, because really, they are the same person as I am.”

Reach Canan via email, call her at 909-987-6397 ext. 425, or find her on Twitter @ChinoValleyNow.