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PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- Wednesday was a very special day for one Valley veteran. Army Staff Sergeant Charles Robles served his country for more than 25 years, and now, his community is giving back to him with a new mortgage-free home.
"I'm still thinking this is not really happening," said Robles.
Robles and his family pulled into the driveway of their new home, for the first time on Wednesday.
"There's no words. There's no words. It's still a dream right now," said Robles.
The mortgage-free home isn't a dream. It's now a reality for Robles, thanks to Building Homes for Heroes and the JPMorgan Chase Bank.
"Give them a home they're able to call theirs forever, and a sense of belonging and ownership," said Cody Brannon, Construction and Events Manager for Building Homes for Heroes.
"Being able to be a part of these is a privilege, and to be able to be able to do something when they've done so much for us is just an incredible thing to be a part of," said Leslie Mulloy with JPMorgan Chase.
Robles served the country for more than 25 years. While deployed in Iraq, he was exposed to multiple IED explosions. He sustained severe injuries, and suffers from PTSD.
"Service members, we serve. That's what we do. We train to protect our left and our right and coming here, Building Homes for Heroes, they have taken us and we're that person on the left or right and they're taking us in and taking care of us," said Robles.
Robles promised his wife, Glenda, they'd one day own their own home. He says coming through on his promise couldn't have come at a better time, with Valentine's Day right around the corner.
"I said, well, I might not be able to get you a cupcake or anything, but here's a home, here's our home," said Robles. He went on to say his favorite part of the house is the garage and the back yard, and the family can't wait to make lasting memories in the home for years to come.