Sgt. First Class Gordon Ewell of Eagle Mountain served in the Utah National Guard for more than 21 years and participated in more than 50 combat missions in Iraq. He co-authored a military handbook used to save lives of Iraq troop members and served as a route clearance expert.

His service came to an end, however, when volunteering for a dangerous duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom left him legally deaf and blind, with broken vertebrae and loss of thought-processing.

With Ewell unable to return to active duty or civilian employment, the future of the Ewell family of eight is now uncertain.

But "Home for a Hero" -- sponsored by Alta Vista Homes LLC, Mikes Guardian Eagle Foundation and Homes for Our Troops non-profit organization -- is hoping to help the Ewells' make at least one thing certain.

The three organizations are coming together to build a safe one-story house -- free from any financial burden -- for the family, in an effort to give thanks to a local American hero, said Laura Thalin, an Alta Vista Homes employee.

To help cover the costs of the home, the organizations are hosting a benefit concert, featuring artists such as the Three Tenors, Jericho Road and the International Children's Choir, in Lehi on Wednesday night.

"It doesn't matter what our political views are," Thalin said. "Our debt of gratitude to these soldiers is huge. Even though we're building just one home. ... We can't do it without community involvement."

Thalin said the event gives people a great way to say thank you, especially at Thanksgiving time.

"Most people want to help," Thalin said. "They just don't know how, or they don't know if the entity is real. But this is a tried and true foundation where people know their money will go to a real cause."

Many of the artists are flying into town exclusively to perform at the event, but others are members of the community who are eager to do what they can to help the cause, such as LDS artist Alex Boye.

"They did a commemoration for the house and Mr. Ewell was there," Boye said. "He got up and spoke and he had an eye patch and a walking stick. ... And he could literally hardly speak. Knowing what he did that for, that was a really powerful thing."

Boye, also a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, moved to the area seven years ago from London to pursue a singing career and said he is honored to be a part of the event.

"I love singing and performing," Boye said. "And what's even better is singing and performing for a cause."

Though the majority of the home costs will be covered by the organizations hosting the event, they hope the concert's audience will be generous, because the tickets are so inexpensive, Thalin said.

"People don't have to stop at the ticket price," Thalin said. "If they have $50 they want to donate, if kids have a piggy bank they want to bring -- whatever people can donate [is welcome]."

Construction crews hope to have the house ready for the Ewell family by Christmas to provide a place for his family to find peace, healing, safety and comfort in time for the holidays, according to a news release.

The benefit concert is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Willow Creek Middle School, 2275 W. 300 North, Lehi. Admission is $7. All proceeds go to the 2007 Home for a Hero. For tickets and more information call (801) 796-7032 or (801) 427-7404.

Copyright Brigham Young University 13 Nov 2007