CLAREMORE, Okla. - A humble hero gets a surprise of a lifetime.
Working for everything you have is what William Lenard is all about.
Monday he worked alongside his wife in the business they built.
"And William is one of those guys that just gives, gives, gives," said Tim Martin of Oklahoma Royal Homes, the managers of the project.
"He doesn't see himself as a hero," said William's wife Kara Lenard.
But to his family that's all he is.
"This is a guy that went and served our country overseas, came back and is serving as a firefighter."
He served three tours in Iraq and earned three purple hearts; then came home and built a remarkable family that defeated breast cancer and adopted a teenage daughter.
Now, he's a firefighter, contractor and business owner.
"A lot of times I get home after they're in bed and I get up and go to work before they get up," he said.
The humble patriot would never ask for help.
"For us it's just a small way to say thank you."
That was no excuse for Operation Finally Home.
At Friday's Green Country Jam the family was shocked to find out their neighbors, friends, fellow veterans and perfect strangers are coming together to build them a new home.
"It's just very overwhelming and very humbling."
Operation Finally Home gifts veterans with homes around the country.
It said when a friend brought William to their attention "his story stood on its own."
"I see all these other guys who to me are much more deserving of such a gift."
It's difficult to accept, but as he knows every Marine has to wear the badges they've earned.
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