Wounded soldier gets new mortgage-free home

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There was a big surprise this morning for a decorated soldier who has served the U.S. Army for more than 20 years.

It was his own personal parade this morning as Army Staff Sgt, Travis Palmer approached the home site and at the end of the road, an unreal surprise for him, his wife Toni and four children.

They'll soon live in a new home mortgage-free courtesy of Pulte Homes and H-E-B.

The family was at the Tomball neighborhood today to break ground on the new house and had this to say just after the tremendous surprise.

"I started crying," he said. "I'm so happy right now. The stress that I've been going through, I'm so relieved right now."

"It means that we will have more time to bond," said Toni. "He still has a lot more healing to do."

The home will be 2,900 square feet and is in the Wimbledon Falls subdivision. The construction and donation was coordinated through 'Operation Finally Home.'