Tuesday was an emotional day for members of one military family in Lee’s Summit, Missouri as they opened the front door to their new home for the very first time.
For the past 10 years, Building Homes for Heroes has given away free homes to wounded military veterans in need. On Tuesday, they added another veteran to that list.
Sgt. Oscar Smith celebrates his new home with his wife, Jennifer Smith, and their children.
Army Veteran Oscar Smith served his country for 23 years. Smith who was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, escaped with his life on several different occasions. Tuesday morning, he and his family laid eyes on their new mortgage-free home.
"We are just overwhelmed, I mean we never thought it would look this amazing," said Jennifer Smith, Oscar's wife.
Oscar Smith suffers from a brain injury, severe Post Dramatic Stress Disorder, and depression. He says having a place the family can call home, has lifted a weight off his shoulder.
"Definitely, yes. I'm already feeling better, just the environment in here is so peaceful," said Oscar Smith.
Smith, his wife Jennifer and their five children walked slowly through the home, taking it all in.
"It made me feel like the best dad in the world, just to see the smiles on their faces, I haven't seen them smile like that since I came home," said Oscar Smith.
The reveal, at one point, brought Oscar Smith to his knees.
"Reality kicked in because I didn't believe it, reality kicked in and it broke me down," said Sgt. Smith.
Building Homes for Heroes and Chase Bank gifted the family the home in honor of his service. The men who worked on it say they’d do it all over again for a family just like the Smith’s.
"I would do it every day if I could. It gives you more of a purpose, I mean it's not just work, it is much more than that and what more could you ask for," said Cody Marler, One Way General Construction.
The Smith’s are the first family in Missouri to receive a home from Building Homes for Heroes. After 23 years of service, Sgt. Oscar Smith was honorably discharged in 2016 with over 14 awards and recognitions. He says the first thing on his list is to get the television hung over the fireplace so he and his family can share a movie night all together.
