MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – An army veteran and his family picked up the key to their brand new mortgage free home in Myrtle Beach on Friday.
Staff Sergeant Shawn Whitmore and his family’s first learned about the new home at a Pelican’s game in September.
Operation Finally Home selected the family and Friday was their first time seeing their new house from pulte homes.
For Whitmore, and his wife Tracy, seeing the home was a dream come true.
“I’d wake up everyday and wonder how am I going to provide for my family and give them the things that i promised them I would give them. When Pulte and Operation Finally Home said they were going to give us this house, it’s the greatest gift in the world. That at this point I would never been able to provide for my family.”
Staff Sergeant Whitmore enlisted in the Army almost ten years ago and served in Korea and Afghanistan.
He suffers from PTSD and was wounded in Afghanistan two times. He also received numerous awards while on duty.
“There are more days than not in the beginning when you do feel alone, that its you against the world. It’s a very hard feeling, it’s a very difficult feeling to have; and today, we’re not alone,” said Whitmore.
The Whitmore’s new home and furniture was made possible by fund raising efforts including a golf tournament and donations from Pulte Home’s trade partners.
Shawn and Tracy have five children who were surprised with a new Playstation on Friday.
