THE GOODRICH FAMILY’S JOURNEY HOMEHome for the holidays has new meaning for veteran’s family

“Mommy! It’s the first time you cut a watermelon in our forever home kitchen!” “Hey! It’s our first time having breakfast for dinner at our forever home table!” For many families, typical household activities can seem routine or ordinary, but for the Goodrich family, even small things are exciting. The family has been in their “forever home” for about six months, and “firsts” are still exhilarating- especially for the kids. Jacqueline and Michael Goodrich and their children relish having a space they consider permanent. “It’s just now becoming real to me that this is ours,” Jacqueline said. “Those first few weeks were like a dream. Every mundane thing we did was new and exciting.” She said the kids would shout gleefully when they had a new “milestone” in their home. This Halloween, the family enjoyed trick-or-treating in the Embrey Mill neighborhood followed by roasting marshmallows at their fire pit. The family is excited to decorate for Christmas in addition to starting new traditions in their forever home.

Where it started – Healing through artJacqueline and Michael were 19-year-old newlyweds at the time of Michael’s first deployment to Iraq. When he wasn’t on duty, Michael painted and built dioramas to cope with stress. When he was dealing with a traumatic brain injury years later, he worked with a formal art therapist. “From there, he started doing every type of art imaginable,” Jacqueline said. “He uses any medium he can, often teaching

himself, to tell stories.” She said Michael aims to make art that will resound with all veterans and tell their stories. Michael’s artwork is even displayed in

the Pentagon for visitors and staff to see every day. Recently, he participated in an art show that Karen Pence, wife of Vice-President Mike Pence, attended. “Mrs. Pence has chosen art therapy in the military as her cause,” Jacqueline said. “We spoke to her about Michael’s process and how art has helped our whole family cope with military trauma. As a military mom, she is very empathetic and wants to bring light to this resource.” Jacqueline and the kids also participate in art therapy for an uplifting family experience. She said they love doing art projects in the new house. Recently, Michael’s first solo art show just opened in the National Museum of Health and Medicine. Along with art, their kids love using physical activity as

an outlet – Lucy loves dance, and Tag is very into karate. The Goodrich’s are FINALLY HOME Operation FINALLY HOME has been an important part of the Goodrich’s journey providing a support system throughout the process. “We just appreciate how Operation FINALLY HOME focuses on PTSD and brain injuries, showing that injured veterans don’t all look the same,” Jacqueline said. “They truly care about veterans and take the time to consider every factor when awarding their beautiful homes,” she said. “We love our Operation FINALLY HOME family.”

Homes for the Holidays★2017

“It’s just now becoming real to me that this is ours,” Jacqueline said. “Those first few weeks were like a dream.

U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Goodrich and familyStafford, Virginia

A Few Words from Dan

As I reflect on what we’ve accomplished since 2005, I can’t help but count my blessings. And as the holidays grow closer, we are so proud that hundreds of veterans and their families are warm by the fireplaces, hanging stockings in their new homes. Operation FINALLY HOME gives these heroes the chance to make cherished Christmas memories with their families this year and for many more to come. They are truly Home for the Holidays.

Imagine Christmas as a child, or even going home for Christmas now as an adult. There’s something special about celebrating the holidays in the warmth and comfort of your family home, whether it’s the scent of the tree, the warm smell of cookies baking, or seeing everyone you love gathered together. This holiday season, we remind ourselves that in supporting housing for these heroes, we are helping to provide these families with stability, memories, and a season of joy. They will remember this time forever.

The joy of the holidays is all about family, and we are so proud that through your generosity, these families have a home of their own. That is a priceless gift to give, and Operation FINALLY HOME has big plans for the future: we’ve barely scratched the surface with what we’ve done over the past decade, and we are excited to move forward. The past year reflects our intentions: to help as many heroes come ‘home’ as we possibly can. The need to provide housing to veterans is great, and we strive to answer the call for help.

While 2017 was magical, our goal is to be even better in 2018. With the dawn of the new year approaching, thanks to your help, we will continue to work together to ensure that even more military heroes and their families have a place to call home.

Merry Christmas to all, and have a joyous and blessed holiday season!

God Bless,

Dan WallrathFounder of Operation FINALLY HOME

What’s Happening

Surprises, Groundbreakings, Notes of Love & Dedications Across the Country

Below is a snapshot of recent Operation FINALLY HOME events. Thanks to our generous builder, sponsors and donors for making these happen.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matthew AndrewsTatum, TexasNotes of Love – August 17 Dedication - December 9U.S. Army SPC Thomas BrinchSan Antonio, TexasSurprise/Groundbreaking – October 12 Notes of Love - November 27U.S. Marine Corp Lance Cpl. Jeremy BrookingSummerville, South CarolinaDedication – October 9U.S. Army Sgt. Jason CastilleElgin, TexasSurprise – November 11U.S. Marine Sgt. Jake ChurchwellMidland, TexasSurprise/Groundbreaking – August 30Notes of Love – October 26U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Donald DavenportNewnan, GeorgiaSurprise/Notes of Love– August 18Dedication – November 9U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mario “Joe” DavisWaukesha, WisconsinNotes of Love – October 7

U.S. Marine Sgt. Daniel ErlandsonDayton, OhioDedication – September 9U.S. Army Spc. Misty and U.S. Army Spc. Terence Ewings Fort Worth, TexasNotes of Love – October 22

U.S. Army Sgt. Demitra JarrettMontgomery, TexasDedication – September 18U.S. Army Sgt. Adam LeeAuburn, AlabamaSurprise - October 7 U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. James PoggiMascoutah, IllinoisSurprise/Groundbreaking – November 1U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Justin RaymerWarsaw, IndianaDedication – September 14U.S. Marine Sgt. Keith TurnbowChapin, South CarolinaNotes of Love – September 21

Be sure and visit our newly designed website. Get to know our heroes and their stories, and learn about the builders and supporters who make Operation FINALLY HOME’s mission possible. Keep up with the status of current projects and home dedications, and be sure to look at the events page for

upcoming activities. Learn how you can make a difference today by making a donation to help give an American hero a home!

This season, consider Christmas and holiday shopping through Smile.Amazon.com. Choose Operation FINALLY HOME as your organization of choice of charity, and Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to help our nation’s heroes have a home of their own.

1. Brooking family- The Brooking family is all smiles on Halloween, dressed as royalty and posing on hay bales on Halloween night. It’s their first Halloween in their new home in Summerville, South Carolina!2. The Snyder family smiles through their spooky costumes on Halloween, ready to trick-or-treat.3. The Veros family is ready to trick-or-treat in Jacksonville, Florida with cute costumes! 4. The three Hutcheson ladies look lovely in their storybook-inspired costumes as they pose on the steps before trick-or- treating in Ball Ground, Georgia! 5. Israel Hillyer’s daughter smiles in Alvin, Texas as a friendly purple witch this Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN How are our home recipients doing?

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