Warrior Mom buys home as B&B respite for grieving families

Debbie Lee will always have a mission — to help families who’ve lost their loved ones in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Surprise resident founded America’s Mightiest Warriors in honor of her son, Marc Alan Lee, the first Navy Seal officer to die in Iraq.

Lee recently bought a two-story home that she’ll transform into a bed and breakfast for families to "get away and cope with their grief."

"I want this to be a place where they can go and just relax and get away from their troubles for a little while," she said.

Lee purchased a foreclosed house and will renovate it within the next several weeks, hoping for a Thanksgiving opening.

"It would be nice for us to be finished by then, but it’s going to depend on how much help we get," she said.

The house has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a spa and pool. There also is an extra room that will be transformed into a Hero’s Room that is similar to Lee’s version in honor of Marc at her own home in Surprise.

"When people come to the bed and breakfast, they’ll have to opportunity to put a picture of their loved one in memory of them," Lee said.

On Aug. 2, 2006, Marc and his SEAL teammates were supporting an Iraqi Army unit during military operations with Army forces in Ramadi, a site of frequent insurgent attacks. The Naval Special Warfare Combat Advisory Element was conducting clearance operations.

Marc, 28, stood in the line of fire to help one of his teammates.

The inspiration for Lee’s organization came when she was re-reading the last letter Marc wrote to her. In what has become known as the "Glory Letter," he talked about how random acts of kindness made the country better.

Lee said she hopes the bed and breakfast will help families relax and have a sense of hope.

She’ll take appointments on a first-come, first-serve basis and will work with military organizations.

The organization seeks donations for the house and volunteers who can help with renovations. Lee plans to solicit help from companies that might want to donate supplies.

For information about America’s Mighty Warriors or the bed and breakfast, call 623-537-5322.

Mitchell Vantrease may be reached at 876-2526 or e-mail mvantrease@yourwestvalley.com.