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Site Blessing - Jul 2, 2008

Calle Rolando, San Juan Capistrano, CA

	Homes for Heroes and Foundations for Families framing ceremony began with children of Habitat families leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sharon Ellis, HfHOC Executive Director, greeted the audience.
	Hundreds gathered to share in the blessing of the workers and to begin construction.
Sam Allevato, Councilmember for the City of San Juan Capistrano, welcomed the new families to the city.
	Joining Sharon Ellis in launching the new development were Darin Selnick and Col. James Seaton. Darin is the Director of Faith and Community-Based Initiatives, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C. Colonel Seaton is Base Commander at Camp Pendleton.
Actor Robert Patrick and Master Chief Eric Faulkner(USN)are seen here with Col. Seaton and Sharon Ellis. Patrick portrays Col. Tom Ryan on CBS's "The Unit." He recently returned from Iraq and is enthusiastically supporting Habitat's new development. Master Chief Faulkner sang the National Anthem during the ceremony. He is stationed at Camp Pendleton.
	The children give thumbs-up at the thought of beginning construction on houses they will soon be able to call home.
Rev. Adelia Sandoval, Fr. Steve Sallot and Mary Kay Wise, enjoy a light moment during the ceremony. Rev. Sandoval sang a Native American blessing. She is a member of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians of the Acjachema Tribe. Fr. Sallot is with St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, Dana Point. Mary Kay is a long-time volunteer and supporter of Habitat.
	The Mendez family began building their new home in San Juan Capistrano.
The Balderas family will work beside seven other qualified families to create a simple, decent home for their family.
	The Morales family was introduced to the audience too. Joe has been deployed to Iraq three times and will soon return. Katia will continue building on their new home in his absence.
Staff Sgt. Joe Morales visited with members of his battalion who congratulated him and his family on the construction of their new home.
	All the families gather on the build site, ready to begin work on their new homes.

Photos by Dan Whedon and Lauri Reveles