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Photo by COURTESY OF ATCO / Postmedia

“We can’t change what happened but if someone drives by these houses, Steven’s friends or kids he went to school with or teachers, they’ll think of him and smile. They’ll think about Steve and there won’t be tears; it will bring a smile to their face,” said Marshall.

He’s been assisting with the construction of the homes on a two-week contract with ATCO, the company that funded the $70,000 homes by giving a $1.5 million in-kind gift .

“There’s nothing I won’t do. I told them I would push I broom if I needed to but I’m a carpenter by trade,” said Marshall. “When these are dedicated, I’m sure the other families will be just as blown away. It’s impressive . . . Calgary is the place where things get done for our military and veterans.”

David Howard, president of Homes for Heroes, said veterans’ homelessness is a “national crisis;” there are about 3,500 homeless veterans nationwide and 180 in Calgary.

Photo by COURTESY OF ATCO

Howard said his team is proud of the almost-completed project but added it’s just one of a handful of dedicated veteran communities they have planned, with the next being constructed in Edmonton and others in Ontario.

“One village isn’t going to do it in Calgary. We need to have at least two and if we can get that, we think we can end the problem (here) within eight to 10 years,” he said.

The veterans advocate said building these communities is the least they can do to help those who sacrificed so much for Canada.

“We live in an incredible country and there are men and women who put their life on the line to keep it that way. As Canadians we owe them gratitude, appreciation and our thanks for everything they have done,” said Howard.