Operation Finally Home Surprises Combat Marine With New Home

HUMBLE, TX -- A former U.S. Marine who was wounded multiple times during three combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan was surprised with a new mortgage-free custom-built home.

The home was presented to retired U.S. Marine Corporal Michael Byrne and his family by representatives of Operation FINALLY HOME, Highland Homes, Ashlar Development and the Greater Houston Builders Association.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

The surprise took place today, June 29, during a special ground-breaking ceremony at the homesite in The Groves in northeast Houston, a one-of-a-kind master-planned community that the Byrnes family will now call home.

Michael and his wife, Michelle, who is also a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, believed they were going through the preliminary interview process with Operation FINALLY HOME and Highland Homes.

The family was then completely surprised when they were escorted by the Patriot Guard riders and greeted at the site of their new home, which will be move-in ready by late 2018.

Byrne joined the U.S. Marines in 2005 after graduating from high school, with a mindset to keep his country safe. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, Michael met his wife, Michelle.

He served in the Marines from 2005 until 2011. In January 2006, at the age of 20 years-old, he deployed for the first time to Iraq, followed by two additional deployments to Afghanistan.

During his service, he was involved in eight different IED blasts that left him seriously injured and he medically retired.

Byrne received numerous awards and medals including the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, two Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign medal with 4 service stars, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 service stars.

As a result of his combat injuries, Bryne suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), migraines and several other injuries.

His injuries make it difficult to work, but he’s pursuing a college degree focusing on community planning so he can help homeless military veterans in the future. Michael and his wife, Michelle, are parents to a son and daughter and they enjoy hiking as a family.

Operation FINALLY along with Highland Homes, Ashlar Development and the Greater Houston Builders Association are thrilled to provide the Byrne family with a custom-built, mortgage-free home in The Groves in Humble, Texas.

Image: Love Advertising

Send your news tips and story ideas to bryan.kirk@patch.com