Pastor Charles Hargrove, middle, with Word of Life Love Ministries, 806 Main St., Danville, says a prayer at the Habitat for Humanity of Danville house groundbreaking on Wednesday at 1416 Sherman St. Hargrove said he met veteran Mark Whaling, left, who the house will be for, through the thrift shop on Bowman Avenue that they help run. Whaling asked Hargrove to pray over the land.

Veteran Mark Whaling, left, said," I don't think I'm worthy of this," about his Habitat for Humanity of Danville house at Wednesday's groundbreaking in the 1400 block of Sherman Street. Whaling currently lives at Devonshire Village on Liberty Lane, where he's lived for more than 13 years, and the rent has been increasing, and it's harder for anyone to pay for it who's on a limited income, he said. His little brother informed him of the Habitat Facebook page. He saw the application process and "surprisingly I got accepted." He served from 1989 to 1992 with the U.S. Army. He said he's excited and scared to become a first-time homeowner. Whaling has already started his "sweat equity" on a Habitat house on Franklin Street. He's learning how to lay flooring, put in doors and trim and hang ceiling fans. With his house, the floor plan was chosen due to the size of the donated lot to Habitat. He will be able to choose the color palette. He hopes to be in the house by spring or sooner. They always need volunteers. This will be the city's fifth new house build by next year.