MARSHALL, Wis. — Pete Ponti has lived in his home for 50 years. The house has been around for a whole lot longer.
Built in 1875, Ponti’s home was originally a school. The school closed in 1958 and Ponti’s father bought the place soon after, intending to make it a summer home. Plans changed, and the younger Ponti wound up buying the school, transforming it into the home where he would later raise three kids.
But Ponti’s unique living space is only a small piece of his remarkable story. He was one of the approximately 2.7 million Americans who served their country during the Vietnam War. Ponti didn’t know anybody when he first arrived in Vietnam, but that soon changed.
“I’m still friends with somebody in Louisiana, somebody in Ohio, somebody in North Carolina,” he said. “We become like brothers once you’re in the service.”
When he returned home, Ponti, like many Vietnam veterans, did not receive the warmest welcome back.
“I got spit on and call all kinds of ungodly names,” Ponti said.
But over time that changed.
“It’s just amazing what the people in this country are doing for us Vietnam veterans now.”
Ponti has been on a Badger Honor Flight and had strangers buy him lunch. On Wednesday, he was given another token of gratitude.
Crews from Heins Contracting worked to replace the roof of Ponti’s nearly 150-year-old home for free. The work was part of Heins’ Roofing A Vet program. Ponti was nominated for the program by a friend. Heins also replaced the roof of the Waterloo VFW, where Ponti is an active member.
With a new roof, Ponti’s home has a new lease on life and he has no plans on leaving.
“They’ll have to carry me out feet-first.”
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