North Carolina Builders Donate Home to Deserving Veteran

Combat-wounded veteran, U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) Matthew Polizzi and his family have a brand new, mortgage-free custom home thanks to the generosity of the Operation: Coming Home foundation based in North Carolina.

Operation: Coming Home, founded by the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County, and the United States Veterans Corps, build and donate homes with the help of local home builders and subcontractors. Since 2008, the foundation has provided more than a dozen homes to combat-injured service men and women, and their families.

"The Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County has always been incredibly proud in our role in Operation: Coming Home. The only thing that makes us prouder are the veterans we honor through this process," said Dicky Gephart, board president, HBA of Raleigh-Wake County during the ceremony unveiling the home on July 16.

SSgt. Polizzi is the recipient of Hero Home #23. He served as a Marine for 14 years and was deployed four times. SSgt. Polizzi received the Purple Heart from an injury in Afghanistan.

"There was so much love that was poured into this project. My family and I really appreciate that," said Polizzi. "Part of the quintessential American Dream is to own your own home and because of these efforts, that dream of ours has now become a reality."

HBA of Raleigh-Wake County board member Rich Van Tassel provided the lot for the home and the home was built by member Mattamy Homes.

"We are honored to support Operation: Coming Home by helping to build a home for such a deserving American hero," said Bob Wiggins, President of Mattamy's Raleigh Division. "It is our hope that this home will provide a place for the Polizzi family to make cherished memories for years to come."

The ceremony was featured on ABC News World News Tonight's "America Strong" news segment. Operation: Coming Home plans to donate another home to a deserving veteran in the fall.