HOLOPAW, Fla. — Veterans Day took on an extra special meaning for one veteran who received a very handy gift Wednesday. 

A much-needed 48-foot ramp was installed at the home of Ricky Mark, a Marine Corps veteran in the south Osceola County community of Holopaw. Mark and his wife have several health issues and can’t leave the home easily, so the wheelchair ramp will make things more accessible for them. 

“I have problems with my feet and knees. And I have dizzy spells too. ... I fall down a lot myself,” Mark said.  

The project is part of Helping Homebound Heroes, a partnership between the Osceola Council on Aging and the Home Depot Foundation. 

Said Ron Potvin, the store manager at a Home Depot in St. Cloud: “(We) challenge other businesses to help remember all the soldiers and the people who put themselves at risk to sacrifice their lives for our freedom. That is oftentimes forgotten.”