Operation Homefront and Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH) are joining forces to thank a Phoenix-area veteran for his service by presenting his family with a new mortgage-free home on Veterans Day.
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Joseph Moncreif will receive the keys to his new 2,278-square-foot home, in a ceremony on November 11. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is completely tailored toward the Moncreif’s needs. It boasts a dramatic foyer, open living space, a cook’s kitchen, compact fluorescent lighting, ENERGY STAR appliances, and much more.
As a Staff Sergeant, Moncreif secured and prepared ammunition and reported to the commander during battle. His four deployments included Kosovo in 1997, Kuwait in 2000, and Iraq in 2003 and 2005. After serving almost 14 years, Moncreif medically retired with an honorable discharge in 2010 and currently lives on Luke Air Force Base with his wife, Mollie, and their two daughters Elizabeth and Jocelyn.
For Moncrief, the new home means more stability for his children and access to better schools. It also will allow him to build financial security so he and his wife can travel, start a college fund for his daughters, and achieve their goals.
“I was floored about what Meritage Homes provides for veterans and military families. It’s a dream that we have been wanting for a long time,” said Moncrief. “We no longer have to move constantly or worry about where we are going next. It’s also financial freedom, which is going to be good for us. As a veteran, it makes me feel good that there are people out there that care.”
The Moncrief family is one of two military families to receive newly built mortgage-free homes in November during the week of Veterans Day. The other family is located in Austin, Texas.
Operation Homefront created the Homes on the Homefront program with the assistance of corporate partners to award mortgage-free homes to veterans and military families. The homes are donated by bank partners, Meritage Homes, and other major financial services companies.
“Our mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive in the communities they have worked so hard to protect,” said Robert Thomas, chief operating officer at Operation Homefront. “Thanks to the continuing generosity of Meritage Homes, we are privileged to award two additional new homes to deserving military families as part of our Homes on the Homefront program.”
“We are looking forward to awarding these deserving military families the keys to their brand new custom homes in November – just in time for the holidays,” said Thomas.
Since its inception, Operation Homefront has placed more than 550 veterans and their families in mortgage free homes with the help of Meritage Homes. This is the fourth year Meritage Homes has built and donated new homes to Operation Homefront through the “Homes on the Homefront” program.
Giving the home to a Phoenix-area veteran is a point of pride for the Meritage Homes’ employees there, said Division President Fred Hermann.
“Our continued partnership with Operation Homefront allows us to bring the American dream of home ownership to additional military families this year,” said Hermann. “It’s an exciting time for the Moncreif family, as well as our Meritage Homes team in Phoenix. We are grateful to our military veterans and look forward to giving them a safe place to call home this November.”
