Video: Local USMC Vet On Day Six Of Mall Campout for Wounded Heroes

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) –  A Marine veteran is camping out at a local shopping mall, to help true American heroes.  As WCBI’s Allie Martin reports,  the annual event provides money to rehab homes of servicemembers wounded in action.

Abbie McQuary knew she was coming to the Mall at Barnes Crossing for a birthday outing,  she didn’t know she would be helping wounded veterans.

For six days, USMC veteran Scott Burns has camped out in the food court, recruiting kids like Abbie,  to help raise money for Purple Heart Homes.

“What they do is they go in and renovate houses and make them handicapped accessible for disabled veterans,” Burns said.

For Scott, this issue hits close to home, in fact, Purple Heart Homes collected money from a separate fundraiser to renovate Scott’s home.  Several years ago,   Scott had his left leg amputated below the knee, all because of an injury when he was in the Marines.

Scott knows there are many veterans in similar situations.

“It would be great if our government paid this , when our veterans came home, but they don’t and if they do it’s a long process and Purple Heart Homes tries to speed that up and make it possible for veterans to be comfortable at home,” he said.

The ninth annual 7 Days for the Troops wraps up Saturday at noon.

You can also donate online, for information, go to www.7daysforthetroops.org