In Honor Of Fallen Friends, Man Builds Future For Vet Families

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Going to a high school reunion can inspire people to reconnect with old friends

For one suburban man, there was a deeper motivation.

As CBS 2's Marissa Bailey reports, he felt compelled to build a home.

When talking with Bill Schey, he sounds like a well-experienced real estate agent.

But that's not the reason he knows this Johnsburg home so well.

"I get something in my head, and I keep going until it's done," he said.

In this case, that something was giving in honor of guys who already gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Schey went to Fenton High School in Bensenville with 10 guys who all died in Vietnam at less than 21 years old.

While attending a dedication ceremony for them, Schey decided he wanted to do something in their honor.

So he built a house.

"Everybody donated," Schey said. "You look around, it's an awesome house."

Every light fixture.

Every doorknob.

Every piece of the hardwood floor.

Donated.

The labor, too.

And all $290,000 of this now sold home, goes to Folds Of Honor.

The organization provides scholarships for family members of fallen veterans.

On top of that, Schey raised an additional $215,000.

"Once I got started, I just said I'm not going to stop," he said.

Schey, a veteran himself, says he knows it could have easily been him who never came home.

"It's been a long time and you know as time goes on you kinda forget."

He hopes this house and his donation keep the guys' memory alive and can give a little something to families left behind.