One Man's Service

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Operation Enduring Gratitude

Fulton Foundation

Posted: 11/8/2021

Fulton Homes Salutes One Man's Service
to the Veteran Community

Charlie Ellis helps other Valley veterans make their homes safe and accessible

Operation Gratitude Group

Fulton Homes, Arizona's largest family-owned and operated homebuilder, recognizes one National Guard veteran who has made it his mission to see that other veterans are taken care of.

It was December 1981 when then 18-year-old Charlie Ellis first enlisted with the National Guard to serve his community and country. Having lost his father four years earlier, he describes himself as looking for identity and a purpose.

"It has given me the ability to focus on things that I've never done before," Ellis said, discussing some of his key takeaways from his service. "Work the problem that's in front of you. The military teaches you how to engage the opponent that's in front of you, while strategizing how to engage the opponent that's around the corner."

Ellis uses that problem-solving approach and other lessons learned during his time in the National Guard to take on the challenges of teaching the next generation as a high school teacher. Those skills are also applied in his work as the founder of the small nonprofit organization Operation Enduring Gratitude, which serves veterans across the Valley with necessary home repairs and accessibility options.

"We rebuild homes and lives," Ellis said. "We've done eight extreme home makeovers and we are on number nine right now. We have provided over 80 wheelchair ramps across the Valley."

Operation Enduring Gratitude (OEG) utilizes community volunteers and resources to fill the gaps left by other social and community services. With more than half a million veterans living in Arizona, Ellis and OEG are working with veterans in need to ensure their homes contribute to their quality of life instead of hindering it.

For Ellis and his family, many of whom have served in multiple branches of service, Veterans Day is an opportunity to open up about their own experiences and allow others to be more open and sharing of theirs. He celebrates the day by spending the weekend before doing service projects for the veteran community and the day involves friends, family and volunteers spending time together.

He served in the National Guard from 1981 until the mid-90s, before reenlisting from 2011 to 2014.

"Fulton Homes is proud to support our military veterans through community programs, sponsorships and projects," said Doug Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. "Veteran's Day is just one way we honor and support our troops throughout the year."

Showing support for patriotism, Fulton Homes has two ongoing sponsorships, "School Salute" and "Fly the Flag." "School Salute" started as Valley schools giving their best rendition of the National Anthem, with a junior high or high school winning a cash prize every month. "Fly the Flag" is also a Patriotic promotion by Fulton, where valley residents can give to veterans by visiting select Fulton Homes communities, touring a model home and buying a full-size American Flag. Fulton Homes will match the amount paid for the flag and then donate to the Wounded Warrior Project.

To learn more about Operation Enduring Gratitude, visit www.oegaz.org.

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