Madison County organizations team up to help veteran make repairs after May tornado

HAZEL GREEN, Ala. (WHNT) — Local businesses have teamed up to help a Madison County veteran repair his home after a tornado hit it in May.

Tuesday was not the first day Bearded Warriors , a nonprofit supporting veterans, had reached out to Paul D’Agosti. He said the organization and its partners have gone above and beyond to support his family.

“The first time they came we were beyond relieved,” D’Agosti said. “It was just an amazing experience the way these people do the best they can to help people.”

Days after the initial repairs to the D’Agosti home were completed, a tornado hit Hazel Green, damaging the roof and freshly-built back deck. D’Agosti said he received a call almost immediately.

“Ty was on the ball the next day with Bearded Warriors and called and it was just amazing,” D’Agosti said. “We were on the fence about calling. They wouldn’t believe us if we told them.”

He said about 90% of the repairs made to the home were damaged in the storm, so the process began again. Home Depot provided more materials, and soon, Bearded Warriors and other veterans groups had Conyer Roofing on board to fix leaks.

“We were asked to come out and put a tarp on it and take it from there,” said Conyer Roofing Huntsville Branch Manager Chet Clark. “We’re happy to help out our local vets.”

D’Agosti served for 17 years, including two deployments in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was medically retired in 2020.

“I’m not worthy,” D’Agosti said. “I’m really not, you know? I try to think of myself as an ordinary person. I don’t expect special treatment. When all of this stuff happened, I was in disbelief. I was thankful to God first and foremost and just the pure goodness of people coming out here. I was in tears most of the day, and I’m sure over time I’ll go right back to tears.”

The repairs will continue over the next few weeks.

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