WWII Veteran gets life-saving ramp after being homebound for eight months

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Born in 1926 in Oklahoma, Ray Perkins still remembers his time serving like it was yesterday.

“They were going to send us to Germany and they sent us to Fort Meade Maryland,” said Ray Perkins. “Then they put us on a troop train and sent us to California, oh, the South Pacific here we come.”

An Oklahoma transplant found a home in Bakersfield, with many stories to tell.

“I had moved in to the Philippines with the 112th Calvary,” said Perkins. “We got on the boat there and went to Japan…sat there on the Tokyo Bay when they signed the Peace Treaty.”

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Perkins needed a ramp for his home, but help wasn’t coming fast enough. He was left homebound for the past eight months.

Habitat for Humanity Golden Empire stepped in to change this life or death situation.

“So, what they had before was an unstable platform, a porch, in the front of their house,” said Rebecca Robison, with Habitat for Humanity Golden Empire. “And 9-1-1 wouldn’t be able to pull him out in his wheelchair or on a gurney.”

Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity tore down the old porch and built Perkins a brand new ramp, piece by piece.

A happy day for Perkins, who was back to enjoying life to the fullest.

“Oh, the beautiful people made this for me, I can’t thank them enough,” said Perkins. “Can’t find the right words.”

If you need help just like Ray Perkins, call 661-861-8449 or visit their website here.

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