Watch This Veteran Receive the Giveaway of a Lifetime

Groundbreaking of Operation FINALLY HOME; Photo Courtesy of Jim Kirby

The past Veterans Day was an extra special one — Delucchi Plus client, Miller & Smith, partnered with nonprofit organization Operation FINALLY HOME to give back to one of our nation’s veterans in a huge way. At last Friday’s Wizards v. Cavaliers game, U.S. Army Sergeant Michael Goodrich and his family were surprised with the biggest giveaway of their lives: a brand new, custom-built mortgage-free home in Embrey Mill, in North Stafford, Va.

Having served two tours overseas, Sgt. Goodrich was injured in Afghanistan when his outpost was attacked. Shrapnel shattered his leg and jaw, and he suffered a brain injury that precludes him from working. After that day in 2012, he received a Purple Heart, an Afghanistan Campaign medal with Campaign Star and the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star for his service and sacrifice. This is a first-time partnership for Miller & Smith and Operation FINALLY HOME, which has provided mortgage-free homes to America’s military heroes since 2005.

Thinking they would simply receive free tickets to a basketball game, Sgt. Goodrich, his wife and his two children were floored when they learned they’d actually be breaking ground on their new home just three days later. “They announced the news to Sgt. Goodrich between the first and second quarters, but he and his family were running late, so they almost didn’t make it to the surprise,” says Britt, our director of PR who handled all media relations for the event. “It was super nerve-wracking.” Britt spent the hours leading up to the Wizards/Cavs game rounding up local media to capture this special moment, getting NBC, ABC, WTOP and CSN to the Verizon Center in a matter of a couple hours.

Just a few days later on Monday, November 14, the homebuilders and community gathered to officially celebrate America’s military heroes and break ground on the new home — the Goodriches should be moving in early spring.