Latest news with #MilitaryWarriorsSupportFoundation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
George Strait, 73, Goes Viral for Wildly Generous Gift to Wounded Military Veteran
George Strait, 73, Goes Viral for Wildly Generous Gift to Wounded Military Veteran originally appeared on Parade. Country legendGeorge Strait handed a Purple Heart recipient — a severely wounded military veteran — with a key to a brand-new home at his recent concert in Pittsburgh. On Saturday, May 31, Strait, 73, paused his Pittsburgh tour stop to honor the sergeant through the Military Warriors Support Foundation, during which the "Carrying Your Love With Me" singer presented the veteran with the oversized key to his new house — while repeatedly encouraging the audience to cheer for him, pointing to the sergeant for all the credit as the audience cheered for Strait himself. The incredibly generous giveaway was announced onstage not by Strait — who sat, and later stood, next to the wounded vet — but by a member of the Military Warriors Foundation. "I wanna tell you a story about this American hero and what he did for our freedom," the man — who was unnamed in the fan-footage video — announced at the show. "I want you to meet this incredible American Purple Heart recipient: Sgt. Derek Austin [who] was deployed in Afghanistan was injured severely through shrapnel wounds when his convoy was attacked. Being wounded so severely because of that, he also suffered severely from TBI [traumatic brain injury] and PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder]." He continued: "Well, we're going to say 'thank you' in a very, very, very special way," before announcing the big news: "We're going to give this hero a beautiful house!" he exclaimed, as the audience erupted into applause and cheers. It was after that revelation that Strait shook Austin's hand and presented him with the symbolic key to his new home. This is not the first time the country icon has awarded military vets for their service; he has frequently worked with the Military Warriors Support Foundation and has made headlines over the years every time he helps gift a house to a military veteran. George Strait, 73, Goes Viral for Wildly Generous Gift to Wounded Military Veteran first appeared on Parade on Jun 5, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
American Military News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- American Military News
Video: Legendary singer gifts Purple Heart vet a new home
Legendary country singer George Strait recently gifted a U.S. veteran and Purple Heart recipient a new home during a concert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. According to Taste of Country, the iconic country music singer gifted Sergeant Derek Austin, a U.S. veteran and Purple Heart recipient, with a new house during his Pittsburgh concert on May 31 in partnership with the Military Warriors Support Foundation. In a video from Strait's concert, an announcer with Military Warriors Support Foundation can be heard sharing Austin's story of service to the United States during his deployment in Afghanistan. 'I want to tell you a story about this American hero — and tell you what he did for our freedom,' the announcer told the crowd. He explained that Austin was 'injured severely from shrapnel wounds when his convoy was attacked' in Afghanistan. 'Because of that, he also suffered severely from TBI, and PTSD,' the announcer said. 'We're gonna say thank you in a very, very, very special way,' he added. 'We're gonna give this hero a beautiful home!' READ MORE: Pics: US Air Force vet released from Venezuelan detainment In the video, Strait can be seen presenting a huge key to the Purple Heart recipient as the announcer shared that Austin would be receiving a new home from the Military Warriors Support Foundation in partnership with the legendary country singer. Following the announcement of the gift, the Military Warriors Support Foundation representative honored Strait for his partnership with the organization and for helping give homes to U.S. military veterans. The Military Warriors Support Foundation representative noted that Strait's gift to Austin marked the 124th home the country singer had helped give away. 'George, it's about $61 million worth we've given away together,' the announcer said. According to the Military Warriors Support Foundation's website, Strait has partnered with the organization for almost 14 years in 32 different states to give away over 120 homes to Gold Star Families and veterans who were wounded in combat. 'As a veteran himself, George Strait has long supported American military personnel,' the website states. 'During his sold-out concerts, George Strait stops his performance to recognize and honor our country's combat-wounded veterans and Gold Star spouses. These Heroes are brought on stage to meet George and are celebrated by thousands in the crowd as they are presented with a mortgage-free home. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these Heroes and their families.'
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kansas veteran receives free SUV at Wichita State game
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – A Kansas veteran received quite a surprise during a Wichita State basketball game. On Wednesday, retired U.S. Army Sergeant Joshua Wayne Fistler attended the game, believing he had been selected as the Chevrolet Everyday Hero to be honored for his courageous service. To his surprise, the Hometown Chevy Dealers and Military Warriors Support Foundation also presented Fistler with the keys to a brand-new Chevrolet Traverse. 'This presentation and event is about honoring one of our local heroes who has sacrificed so much to provide us our freedom,' Mike Shook, president of the Hometown Chevy Dealers, said. WSU players honor victims of flight 5342 at game 'Being able to partner with them, come together, and wrap our arms around Joshua and family and award him this payment-free vehicle, this is what it takes. It takes a partnership and a community to come together and support families in providing them these types of ways that will reduce any stress for their families,' Tammy LeValley, Military Warriors Support Foundation, said. Fistler was raised in Peabody and currently lives in Inman. He joined the Army in 2005 in Salina and served at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany, and Iraq. Fistler has received many medals for his bravery and service, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Purple Heart. 'It's going to mean a lot. You know, I've never actually owned a brand-new car. You know, and the car we have right now isn't big enough for our family. Like, my kids are really squished in the back seat,' Joshua said. 'We are so grateful. Like, honestly, there are no words how honestly and truly amazing I feel for everything they have done for Joshua and my family. I couldn't ask for a better gift. Like, it's so amazing to know that we have that- we have a new car,' Brittany Fistler, Joshua's wife, said. How could the halt on pennies affect collectors? The SUV was given to Fistler 100% payment-free. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
