A new home for Christmas

Mark Davis, 75, a homeless U.S. Air Force veteran who did two tours of duty in Vietnam, right, is welcomed to his new home by Penny Beehler, the executive director of Saving Mercy, left, as the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard posts The Colors in front of his new home at Saving Mercy on West Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.

Home for the holidays has a very special meaning for Vietnam War veteran Mark Davis this Christmas season.

On Wednesday, Dec. 17, Davis, 74, was among the first group of residents to move into one of 20 apartments in 10 recently completed duplexes in Mercy Village, a housing complex that includes a 59-unit apartment building still under construction.

Mercy Village is on a nine-plus acre parcel located at 3601 W. Silver Springs Blvd. and is operated by Saving Mercy, a faith based nonprofit outreach operating low income and permanent supportive housing.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” said Davis as he glanced around the 400-square-foot duplex half, complete with a furnished living room, bedroom and kitchen outfitted with appliances.

“They went above and beyond,” Davis said of the effort by several veterans’ organizations to provide everything needed to immediately set up housekeeping.

Davis served in the U.S. Air Force from 1970 to 1974 and some of his duties in the war were connected to returning the remains of service members on C-130 aircraft.

The move into his new residence was accompanied by a brief posting of colors ceremony by the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard and well-wishes from officials including Ocala City Councilman Jim Hilty Sr.  and members of Veterans Helping Veterans USA of Marion County,

Saving Mercy Executive Director Penny Beehler welcomed Davis.

“We’re super happy and super blessed and ask for prayers,” Beehler said. She said as an “Army mom” she appreciated Davis’ service.

Davis had been most recently living in an RV that he described as “falling apart.”

The journey to permanent and supportive housing for Davis, who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, has included being homeless for a time.

Davis, from Waterbury, Connecticut, owned a painting company for 28 years and went to culinary school at night to become a chef. He worked as an executive sous chef for a hotel chain in Connecticut. About seven years ago, he traveled from Connecticut to Key West to care for his brother. He became homeless for a period of time while in Key West. A contact with the Saving Mercy project invited him here and he moved to Ocala about four years ago.

Charles Calhoun, president of the Marion County Veterans Council and a member of other veterans’ organizations, including the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard, spearheaded gathering and purchasing the decor, needs for daily living and small appliances for Davis’ apartment. The decor even included a small Christmas tree.

Calhoun said he and his wife Fran and VHV Deputy Director Myles McConico installed the items and decorated the duplex. He said VHV paid for some items and that many were donated. He said groups involved included the On Top of the World Veterans Club, Marion County Veterans Council, Veterans Resource Center, Vet Net and American Legion Post 354.

The 10 Mercy Village duplexes were funded by a grant through Marion County Community Services and the 59-unit apartment complex, still under construction, is backed by nonprofit Carrfour Supportive Services of Miami, according to prior news reports.

Saving Mercy provides “compassionate support, dignity, and a home for those most in need,” according to its website. The outreach was started by Blessed Trinity Catholic Church but is now an independent 501(c)3 charitable organization supported by grants and private donors.

Residents have a lease and pay rent based on income and case managers will link them to employment and skill building agencies while therapists will provide addiction and behavioral health, according to Beehler.

Saving Mercy case managers Heather Berry and Courtenay Salem were on hand Wednesday to assist residents moving into the duplexes.

Another incoming resident, a retired woman who lived in her car for the past two years, was getting settled into a duplex apartment. The decorations and needs for daily living were sponsored by Interfaith Emergency Services.

Karla Greenway, CEO of IES, said the new housing is “huge” for IES clients.

“Some have been maintaining employment, which isn’t easy when you live in a tent,” Greenway stated in a text.

IES furnished and decorated three units but “the tenants are responsible for the rent,” she added.

The woman moving in, a former baker with a large grocery store chain, said she was “very happy, very excited” about her new residence.

“This is a gift from God for Christmas,” she woman

Meanwhile, for Davis, the new residence and support from local fellow veterans clearly meant a lot. VHV has promised support including assistance from their pantry.

Bill Fix with the honor guard gave Davis a challenge coin and Davis chatted with fellow Air Force veteran Dan Maffeo.

Calhoun gave Davis a “Welcome” Home keepsake provided by Ocala Blue Star Mothers, which represents welcoming the veteran home from the Vietnam War.

Davis clearly became emotional.

“You are part of our veteran community,” Calhoun said.

To learn more, go to savingmercy.org or call (352) 629-6902.

Homeless Vietnam Veteran Receives New Home At Saving Mercy

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