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Country music superstar Tim McGraw performed Thursday night at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, and he brought more than his music act. He also brought a special gift for a local veteran.
McGraw personally delivered the gift of a free home to a military family while on stage.
Before the show, Army veteran Tim Wall got the chance to meet the singer back stage. Later, they’d share the spotlight for a life-changing moment.
“I’ve been trying to find the right words. There’s just no words,” Wall said.
After serving in Iraq, the infantryman returned home to battle credit problems, preventing him from buying his family a home. That changed Thursday night.
In front of thousands, the singer known for the song “Real Good Man” did a good deed by announcing that Wall and his family are getting a mortgage-free home in Jacksonville through a program called Operation Homefront.
“It’s going to release a lot of burdens,” Wall said.
Wall’s new friend, retired Army Specialist James Stone, knows what Wall has been through. A few years ago, he received a home through Operation Homefront.
“When you go back to civilian life, it’s a pretty big change, so being able to get the house helped us get back on our feet,” Stone said.
These veterans received homes as a thank-you for their service and also enjoyed some of the best seats in the house for the concert.
“For the rest of my life, I’m going to remember, my wife’s going to remember this. We're always going to be grateful,” Wall said.
The Wall family will get their house soon. Right now, it’s still under construction.
Thirty-five other military families will receive homes throughout McGraw’s tour.
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