SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Friday was a big day for a local family and the people of Hardeeville as a veteran joins their community thanks to the generosity of a homebuilder and a local charity.

The ribbon was cut and the Strains were able to go inside their new home for the first time.

The house, built by Lennar Homes and their partners, was organized by Operation Patriots FOB (OPFOB), the local veteran’s charity.

Morgan Strain, his wife and daughters all toured the house, picking out rooms with smiles on their faces the entire time.

Three months ago that these walls were just wood with messages written on them by well wishers. Now, its a place this family can call their home while remembering what it took to put these walls up and what’s behind them.

“Just to know that that love is behind the sheetrock and those notes and prayers of Bible verses are all written behind there? That’s powerful to know that’s what my home is built on,” veteran Morgan Strain said. 

we’re looking at the crowd of people and it’s just, you know, the locals there. Just to see it in that physical form,  it’s just  something  again, I think last time I didn’t have a word. I still don’t have a word for all of it,” Kemi Strain said. 

Both Lennar and OPFOB said while it is the first home that they’ve had, it won’t be the last. hTey plan on doing more, whether it’s in Hardeeville, Beaufort or anywhere where veterans are in need.