Welcoming Staff Sergeant Charles Dickson and His Family Home

A home is the heartbeat of a community, a place where peace settles in, where comfort is found after long days, and where belonging takes root. For so many across our nation, homeownership is a dream built on hope, hard work, and the desire for stability. At Ashlar Homes, a trusted Kansas City home builder dedicated to creating attainable new homes in KC, our mission is simple yet bold: to make this dream an attainable reality for more families.

And for some, the journey to “home” carries a weight far greater than most of us will ever know. Because of the men and women who have served, protected, and fought on our behalf, we wake up each day in a country overflowing with opportunity and freedom. Their sacrifice is not just woven into the fabric of our communities; it is the foundation that allows those communities and the new construction homes in Kansas City within them to exist at all.

That’s why this story and partnership matter. And it’s why we felt so deeply honored to open the door to a new chapter for a deserving U.S. Veteran inside one of our new home communities in KC.

A Partnership With Purpose

In partnership with U.S. Bank and Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring and supporting injured service members, we were humbled to help present a mortgage-free home in Kansas City to U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Charles “Chuck” Dickson.

On November 5th, surrounded by neighbors, supporters, and loved ones, Chuck was recognized for more than 20 years of heroic military service. Behind that moment were decades of stories, some courageous, some heartbreaking, and all a testament to the strength of a man who dedicated most of his life to protecting others.

As Chuck continues to rehabilitate from the physical and emotional wounds of war, this home offers a foundation for stability, recovery, and hope. And we couldn’t be more grateful to have been a small part of that journey.

A Career Built on Courage

Chuck’s military path began long before most of us are even thinking about our future. Still in high school, he decided to serve his country, stepping into a position that would take him across the globe and place him in situations most of us only read about.

After basic training, he was first stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. Only a few years later, in 1993, he deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, during a period of intense conflict. It was there that he survived an anti-tank mine explosion just days before Black Hawk Down.

His service didn’t stop there. Over the next two decades, Chuck served in:

• Haiti
• Guantanamo Bay
• Kosovo
• Izmir, Turkey
• Giessen, Germany
• Kabul, Afghanistan
• Ramadi, Iraq
• Tal Afar, Iraq

Each assignment brought its own challenges. Each deployment required bravery, adaptability, and a commitment to protecting both American lives and the lives of those living in the communities he served.

Chuck worked closely alongside local police forces, partnered with foreign regimes, and supported various branches of U.S. armed forces, often in situations marked by instability and danger. His courage was tested repeatedly through multiple attacks and high-risk missions. Yet, through all of it, he continued to serve with honor.

Following years overseas, Chuck returned stateside to help establish the 17th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Lewis, Washington. Later, he transitioned into a recruiting role in Vancouver, where he encouraged and guided the next generation of soldiers.

In October 2012, after a distinguished military career, Chuck retired. And like many veterans, he carried with him the invisible wounds of war, including experiences with PTSD shaped by years of intense deployments.

A New Beginning Inside an Ashlar Community

When we say We Build Community, we mean more than building homes. We mean creating spaces where people feel safe, supported, and connected; where neighbors know each other, where relationships flourish, and where every person is welcomed with genuine care.

For Chuck, his wife of nine years, and their son, stepping into their new home in Blue Springs wasn’t just a relocation. It was a moment of restoration. A chance to start fresh in a place built thoughtfully, crafted by a Kansas City home builder committed to quality and comfort, and surrounded by people who value service, family, and belonging.

To help make that first day feel even more like a true fresh start, our team furnished the living room and kitchen with pieces chosen to bring comfort and warmth from the moment they walked in. 

Seeing the Dickson family walk through their front door for the first time reminded all of us why we do what we do. A home can be life-changing, especially for someone who has given so much of their own life in service to others.

The Heart Behind the Mission

Ashlar Homes is committed to making homeownership possible for more families in the Kansas City metro area. Moments like these remind us that our work reaches far beyond construction sites and closing tables. Every home we build becomes part of someone’s story, a story of new beginnings, bold dreams, and better tomorrows.

Partnering with organizations like Freedom Alliance and U.S. Bank allows us to extend that mission even further. It’s a way for us to stand alongside our nation’s heroes and honor their service. 

Building Community, One Family at a Time

As we welcome the Dickson family into their new home, we are reminded that building community requires intention and generosity. And sometimes, it requires all of us coming together to honor someone who has spent a lifetime honoring us.

Chuck’s story is one of bravery, resilience, and undeniable strength. His service stands as a powerful reminder of the freedoms we enjoy and the people who protect those freedoms every day. We are humbled to play even a small role in supporting his next chapter and providing his family a place where healing can happen and joy can flourish – inside a community of new homes by Ashlar – built for connection and care.

To Staff Sergeant Charles “Chuck” Dickson: thank you. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your unwavering commitment to our country. May this home bring you peace, rest, and the sense of belonging you have more than earned.

To the Dickson family…welcome home. We’re honored to have you in our community and a part of the Ashlar Family.

Ready to Explore New Homes in KC?

If you’re searching for new homes in Kansas City or looking for a community built on connection, purpose, and genuine care, Ashlar Homes is here to help you take the next step. Our team is committed to making homeownership attainable, personal, and deeply meaningful for every family we serve.

Whether you’re starting fresh, relocating, or exploring new construction homes, we’d be honored to help you find the place where your next chapter begins.

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Your new beginning is closer than you think. Let’s find your home—together.