Michelle and Aaron Schafer, center, pose with representatives from Chase Bank, Operation Homefront and Cracker Barrel, which donated five rocking chairs to the family for their new East Brainerd home.
Melissa and Aaron Schafer pose on the steps of the home that was recently deeded to them.As a 10-year U.S. Army enlistee and the product of a military family, Melissa Schafer was used to always being on the move.
Formerly a military police officer, Schafer was honorably discharged in 2008 after suffering from serious arthritis in her back. For the first time in her life, the veteran and her husband, Aaron, needed something more permanent for themselves and their three children.
While searching for housing in Chattanooga, Schafer stumbled upon Operation Homefront.
Its mission is straightforward: provide mortgage-free housing for active-duty and honorably discharged veterans across the United States. After two years of living in a donated home, the deed is handed over to the veteran.
For Schafer and her family, that moment finally happened for her Chase Bank-donated home in East Brainerd last month.
“Being deeded the home is the most wonderful blessing in the world,” Schafer said. “We are blessed beyond measure. The significance of the home for us and our children is peace of mind, hopeful futures for all of us and complete living stability.”
The biggest difference, she added, has been the freedom and luxury to be able to change the home as desired, without waiting for a landlord.
“If we want to change the paint, add on a room, change our cabinets or switch from carpet to wood, or any other home improvement, we can,” said Schafer. “It’s up to us 100 percent and we can do it.”
So far, Operation Homefront has donated mortgage-free homes to almost 600 active-duty military, veterans and their families.