TIFTON — Sgt. Chad Turner and his family were surprised Tuesday morning when they were brought to the empty lot that will soon be the site of their new home. 

There was hardly a dry eye among the crowd that had gathered to greet them and welcome them to the future building site as the ceremonial groundbreaking took place.

Turner, who served two back to back tours of Iraq and then two back to back tours in Afghanistan, was wounded on his final tour and is dealing with PTSD, along with other injuries, including brain injuries.

He said that he initially signed up for the military in 2002, after 9/11, because he decided he was going to defend his country.

“I was raised up with selfless service,” said Turner. “My dad was a deputy for Hall County. My mom was a 911 dispatcher. I know what it’s like to go out every single day and put your life on the line.”

Turner was also raised to be devoted to family, and when, during his first deployment, he and his wife Jennifer were informed that their young son Jason was autistic, he decided to continue his military service.

“I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do to take care of my son,” Turner said.

“Every single thing I did was for my family, because if it wasn’t for me doing what I did my son wouldn’t have had all the help he had while I was deployed.”

That devotion to family was one thing that made Turner stand out to Rusty Carroll, executive director of Operation Finally Home.

The Turners are the latest to receive a custom built home thanks to Operation Finally Home, a national nonprofit that provides mortgage free homes to wounded veterans across the country, and has built over 200 homes in 34 states.

“What makes Operation Finally Home who and what we are is our builder community,” Carroll said.

OFH is partnering with Structures by Chris Brooks to build the custom home for the Turners.

Chris Brooks, the owner of Structures by Chris Brooks, was introduced to OFH in 2007.

“We’re honored,” Brooks said. “This is a small way that we can give back what has been given so much from you guys.”

The Turners are not originally from Tifton, but have decided to make it their permanent home. Mayor Julie Smith and Sheriff Gene Scarbrough, as well as Tift County Fire and Rescue and members of the Tifton Chamber of Commerce were on hand to welcome and support the Turners during the ground breaking.

Representative Austin Scott was in attendance as well.

Addressing the Turners, he said “I’m so happy you’re going to be calling Tifton home. You’re going to love this place, and this place is going to love you.”

Scott also informed the family that the flag that was flown over the United States Capitol would be given to them to fly at their home upon its completion.

Jennifer Turner was emotional as she spoke to the crowd. “I just want to say thank you, because this means a whole lot to us.”

Turner said, “This is an answered prayer straight from God.”