2021 West Volusia Veteran Free Roof Winner

We had many worthy nominees for our FREE roof giveaway. However, only one could be the winner. When Major Darwin D. Tennant won, we only knew he had been in the army. When we had the opportunity to surprise him on Christmas Eve, we found out the depth of his dedication to our country.

Darwin was born in North Dakota in 1931. When his father passed away, he decided to join the army to help provide for his family and to defend our country. He entered as an infantry soldier and worked his way through the ranks to become an E7 Sergeant First Class. Sergeant Tennant served with the 187th Combat Team with the 101st Airborne Division, while stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He spent time at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with the 505th Parachute Infantry Battalion. He retired from Fort Gordon, Georgia, after 23 years, as Major Darwin D. Tennant. Some of his many accolades include serving in the Korean Conflict, two tours in Vietnam, and receiving the Bronze Star with V recipient.

After retirement in 1968, Major Tennant moved to Glenwood and purchased 10 acres of land. He sold manufactured homes in DeLand. He also became an ordained minister. He even constructed a 30-person church on his property at the request of his patrons. Major Tennant married his junior-high sweetheart in 1949 and has several children. His son, Mike, nominated him for this contest.