U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Nathan “Nate” Tomshack and his family were surprised with a mortgage-free, Lennar home - personalized to accommodate his battlefield injuries. Lennar photo

Lennar celebrated a local Army combat veteran and his family Thursday with a big surprise — the groundbreaking of a mortgage-free new Fresno home.

Lennar teamed up with nonprofits Operation Finally Home and Beyond The Barracks to honor U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nathan “Nate” Tomshack with a home personalized to accommodate his battlefield injuries. The groundbreaking ceremony was held to surprise the decorated veteran and his family with the brand-new home in Lennar’s Sterling Acres community near Fowler and Shields avenues.

During his six years of service, Tomshack served three combat deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa and was honorably discharged in 2014. While serving overseas, he was subject to several attacks. As a result, Tomshack suffers from significant back and knee injuries and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, a traumatic brain injury and vertigo.

Sgt. Tomshack expressed his heartfelt thanks: “Thank you for this life changing opportunity.”

The single-level, 2,085-square-foot home will include features and options designed to meet Tomshack’s needs. This includes an owner’s suite bathroom modified to accommodate a soaking tub.

This is Lennar’s 19th home built in partnership with Operation Finally Home.  The company plans to build additional homes in the future. Lennar anticipates the home to be completed spring 2025.

“At Operation Finally Home, our mission is to provide or improve homes for America’s veterans and first responders,” said Rusty Carroll, Operation Finally Home President. “Nate and his family have sacrificed so much to defend our freedom, and it is an honor to partner with Lennar and help provide him and his family with a custom-built, mortgage-free home in Fresno.”

 Tomshack comes from a long line of military veterans, according to a Lennar news release. He enlisted in the Army at 19, following in the footsteps of both of his grandfathers and father.

In 2010, while serving in Iraq, Tomshack was involved in an improvised explosive device attack that caused the vehicle he was in to roll over. This resulted in significant back injuries and lasting discomfort. Later, while serving in Afghanistan, Tomshack suffered extensive injuries to his knee when a rocket-propelled grenade detonated near him.

These incidents and others left him with chronic knee pain and instability. He underwent surgery on his vertebrae in 2022 due to continued discomfort from his back injuries. He also suffers from post-traumatic headaches, tinnitus and arthritis.

Tomshack has been recognized with several awards and recognitions for his service. These include the Combat Action Badge, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, two Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Valorous Unit Award, NATO Medal two Overseas Service Ribbons and many more.

Tomshack met his wife, Esme, at a park in 2020, where their children—Esme’s son and daughter and Nate’s daughter—were playing together. The couple married in 2023 and currently live in Clovis. Tomshack earned a bachelor’s degree from Fresno State and is currently working on a master’s degree in therapy while volunteering at the Fresno Vet Center. He hopes to become a dedicated therapist who helps veterans heal when they return to civilian life. Esme is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in political science and hopes to pursue a master’s in public policy or business.

When the couple are not pursuing their education, the family enjoys camping and hiking together. All the children participate in sports, which the parents enjoy watching.