ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. -- Coming home is reality this Fourth of July holiday for one military hero. Lance Cpl. Anthony Sayo suffered a traumatic brain injury when his Humvee was attacked in Iraq in 2007. Now, the 24-year-old is helping care for his mother and twin sisters, and the family is moving to Jacksonville.
"It's nice to have your own shutters," said Sayo, as he gave Action News a tour of his new Atlantic Beach home.
In his first ever trip to Jacksonville, Sayo was invited to Military Day at The Players Championship in May. There, he was surprised with the gift of a lifetime.
"I didn't think it was real, and I still don't," he said. "I'm still having some doubts as to if I'm really here."
As he recovered from his own injuries, Sayo's mother became ill in 2009. Seven months after entering the hospital, she was returned home to face months of bills, and needed help caring for Sayo's 12-year-old twin sisters.
The gift of a mortgage free, 2,000 square foot home, means they can all be together once again.
"It's good we're in a new place and the girls are in a stable home and go to a good school next year so it's just great."
The Military Warriors Support Foundation gave Sayo his new home, and has also given homes to 17 other families this year. They plan to donate another 100 homes nationwide in the next 12 months.
