Army ROTC Supports Veteran Overcoming Housing Instability

Purple Heart Homes, a North Carolina-based nonprofit supporting veterans, provided Dunn's tiny home after U.S. Marine Corps veteran Scott Burns, founder of 7 Days for the Troops, a Tupelo-based nonprofit, shared that Dunn had lived in a shed for the past five years following a house fire.

The fire destroyed Dunn's home just one year after his wife died. Then, he suffered a stroke in May 2024.

"Frankie Dunn served his country honorably," said Lamar Austin, Purple Heart Homes regional project manager. "Ensuring that he has a safe and accessible home to live with comfort and dignity is one small way we can say 'thank you' and honor him for his service."

Ole Miss Cadets Dominic Lola Cheves, of Newnan, Georgia, and Tate Bell, of Fairview, Tennessee, presented the United States and Army flags, marking the start of the "Mission Complete" ceremony.

"Holding the flag, I'm holding something that represents something bigger than myself," said Bell, a senior Arabic major.

Cheves, a junior political science major, agreed.

"Whether they serve for four years, the full 20 or even more than that, (veterans) have given back to this country and they deserve to be able to live comfortably after their time serving is over," he said

Dunn was an active member of the U.S. Army during the late 1970s. His new home near Oxford features kitchen appliances, furniture and a deck with a ramp built by volunteers.

"It's nice," Dunn said. "We can all do things for others that may be in need – whatever it is. We all need help."

His daughter, LaTwanza Price, said the house is a gift from God.

"God gave you that," Price said. "And he gave it to you because he wants you to live happily until it's time for you to go home."

Andrew Newby, director of the university's Office of Veteran and Military Services, was among dozens of local veterans who didn't know Dunn personally but attended the ceremony as a display of support and their common bond.

"He's a brother to me, and I'm a brother to him because of the service that we share," Newby said.

Just like the veterans there, the ROTC cadets also happily answered the call to play a role in honoring Dunn.

"Hopefully (Dunn) feels that he's supported by his local community, by the greater military community and that what he did and what he sacrificed doesn't go unseen," Bell said.

"When I am one day a veteran and I potentially need help, I would like the same done for me," Cheves said. "So, it makes it feel more special to do this now as a cadet."

The Home Depot Foundation and 7 Days for the Troops funded Dunn's "Mission Complete" project.

Top: U.S. Army veteran Frankie Dunn watches as representatives from Purple Heart Homes and 7 Days for the Troops present a new tiny home to him. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

 See more photos from Frankie Dunn's home presentation