BAKERSFIELD, CA - An Iraq war veteran and his family spent their first night Thursday,in a newly remodeled mortgage-free Bakersfield home. They got it as part of Operation Homefront, a national non-profit.
Operation Homefront has given over 400 homes to veterans and their families. Its latest means no more moving for the Bruno family.
At the end of a southwest Bakersfield cul-de sac, the Bruno family, Bryn, wife Kimber, and kids, Skyler and Kaya stand at their new front door, waiting to see what lies on the other side.
Bryn served with the Marines in Iraq. His family moved multiple times with the military. But, when he suffered a brain injury in service, that ended as well as his construction career. Thursday, however, he got to hold the keys to his future, thanks to Operation Homefront and unlock his family's new life.
"I didn't know what to expect and to walk in and see a beautiful home was just a great thing," said Bryn Bruno after seeing his home for the first time.
"My oldest has been in multiple schools and she's only in fourth grade. So it's going to be, she's happy we don't have to move again. I mean, we're set," said Kimber Bruno.
Chase Bank donated the home to Homes on the Homefront and remodeled it with new appliances and custom touches, like a shower handrail for Bryn.
"This is my first time in a two story house," said fourth grader, Skyler Bruno
"They might want to do some home improvement projects but that's a privilege only homeowners get so now they are able to take part in that," said Grace Lee of Operation Homefront.
As Bryn's daughters enjoy climbing the stairs to their new rooms, he was just taking it all in.
"Just to know, I don't have to worry about anything and this is ours for the rest of our lives. We don't have to move anymore or go anywhere and we can paint it how we want. We can make everything look like the way we want it to look it's just awesome," said Bryn.
Bryn and his wife were commuting from Porterville where they lived to take their girls to school in Bakersfield. Now,
one of the things they look forward to the most, they can walk them there.
Operation Homefront has given over 400 homes to veterans and their families. Its latest means no more moving for the Bruno family.
At the end of a southwest Bakersfield cul-de sac, the Bruno family, Bryn, wife Kimber, and kids, Skyler and Kaya stand at their new front door, waiting to see what lies on the other side.
Bryn served with the Marines in Iraq. His family moved multiple times with the military. But, when he suffered a brain injury in service, that ended as well as his construction career. Thursday, however, he got to hold the keys to his future, thanks to Operation Homefront and unlock his family's new life.
"I didn't know what to expect and to walk in and see a beautiful home was just a great thing," said Bryn Bruno after seeing his home for the first time.
"My oldest has been in multiple schools and she's only in fourth grade. So it's going to be, she's happy we don't have to move again. I mean, we're set," said Kimber Bruno.
Chase Bank donated the home to Homes on the Homefront and remodeled it with new appliances and custom touches, like a shower handrail for Bryn.
"This is my first time in a two story house," said fourth grader, Skyler Bruno
"They might want to do some home improvement projects but that's a privilege only homeowners get so now they are able to take part in that," said Grace Lee of Operation Homefront.
As Bryn's daughters enjoy climbing the stairs to their new rooms, he was just taking it all in.
"Just to know, I don't have to worry about anything and this is ours for the rest of our lives. We don't have to move anymore or go anywhere and we can paint it how we want. We can make everything look like the way we want it to look it's just awesome," said Bryn.
Bryn and his wife were commuting from Porterville where they lived to take their girls to school in Bakersfield. Now,
one of the things they look forward to the most, they can walk them there.