Sean Reeves thought his toughest battles were behind him after surviving three gunshot wounds and a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan.
But the challenges of civilian life proved just as difficult.
And a wounded Marine just got the surprise of a lifetime that will restore your faith in America.
Purple Heart recipient gets the recognition he deserves
The story of Marine Corps veteran Sean Reeves is one that every American should know.
The September 11th attacks motivated a young Sean Reeves to make a life-changing decision.
Fresh out of high school in 2008, he signed up to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps.
As an infantry rifleman with the First Battalion, Second Marines, Reeves found himself deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 during some of the war’s most dangerous operations.
It was during Operation Northern Penetration that everything changed.
An enemy bomb exploded near his unit, and what followed was a vicious firefight.
When the smoke cleared, Reeves had suffered a traumatic brain injury and taken three bullets.
Any reasonable person would have expected to go home after injuries like that.
But Reeves wasn’t done serving yet.
Even with his wounds, he stayed in the Marines until he was medically retired in 2011.
His courage under fire earned him the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, NATO Medal ISAF Afghanistan, and the Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, among other military decorations.
The battle at home proved just as difficult
Coming home from war is never easy, but for Reeves, the transition brought challenges that tested him in ways combat never did.
He deals with persistent chronic pain from his wounds, cognitive impairments from his traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
As if that wasn’t enough, Reeves had to fight another battle when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Thankfully, he achieved remission from the cancer.
But through all of these struggles, Reeves never stopped serving others.
Today, Reeves works as a Care Coordinator at Veterans Bridge Home.
In this role, he helps other veterans and their families navigate the tough transition from military service to civilian life.
Despite battling ongoing pain from his war wounds, mental challenges from his brain injury, and PTSD, Reeves beat cancer when he achieved remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Through it all, he’s never stopped helping his fellow veterans.
Community rallies to honor a hero
Now Sean Reeves and his family are getting the recognition they deserve.
“The story of the Reeves family is one of resilience and commitment to community,” said Nicole Oropesa, President of BrandStar Entertainment.
Military Makeover with Montel, along with their official non-profit partner Purple Heart Homes, selected the Reeves family for a complete home makeover.
The show focuses on helping military families across America by giving them home makeovers they could never afford on their own.
Host Montel Williams, himself a veteran, leads the effort alongside Co-Host Art Edmonds and Designer Jennifer Bertrand.
The team will spend nearly two weeks transforming the Reeves family home in King, North Carolina.
The renovation kicks off June 10 and wraps up with a big reveal on June 22nd.
The finished makeover will be designed to give the family better accessibility, comfort, and the quality of life they’ve earned through their sacrifice.
The reveal of the completed makeover will be filmed on June 22, and the episode will air on Lifetime TV this summer.
Purple Heart Homes continues the mission
This heartwarming story is made possible by Purple Heart Homes, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was founded by John Gallina and the late Dale Beatty.
Both men are Iraq combat-wounded veterans who started their mission to provide housing solutions for service-connected disabled veterans and their families.
The organization is driven by the belief that no veteran should be left behind.
Purple Heart Homes works with communities across the country to ensure quality of life solutions for disabled American veterans from all eras.
Their motto says it all: “Improving Veterans’ Lives One Home at a Time.”
It’s organizations like this that remind us what makes America great.
When our veterans come home wounded and struggling, we don’t abandon them.
We rally around them and show them that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Stories like Sean Reeves’ prove that even in our divided times, Americans can still come together to take care of those who took care of us.
The upcoming season of Military Makeover with Montel will showcase not just a home renovation, but a powerful reminder that help, healing, and hope truly start at home.
