Hometown hero, family receive their new home

FUQUAY-VARINA (WTVD) -- We love covering these stories - not only because they throw one heck of a party to celebrate handing over keys to the new homeowners, but because we always meet recipients who couldn't be more deserving after what they've given for our country.

In typical fanfare for Operation: Coming Home, there was all the pomp and circumstance Friday you'd expect to see at an event honoring a member of our military.

In December last year, ABC11 was at the groundbreaking for Sgt. Jimmion Clayton's home in Fuquay-Varina, on Walker Ranch Drive.

RELATED: Special groundbreaking for a hometown hero

Clayton served six years in the North Carolina Army National Guard with the 514th Military Police Company.

However, he was forced to medically retire after suffering shrapnel wounds in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan in 2012.

Now, though, those dark days are behind him as he, his wife, and his 3-year-old daughter received keys to their brand new home, specially built for him.

Of course, it wouldn't be possible without the volunteer efforts of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County and various nonprofits and businesses.

It's a gift that Clayton says he and his family will cherish.

Sgt. Clayton is the 12th recipient of one of the hero homes.

He found out he'd been selected at an UNC football game, which was fitting considering he was a former football standout in high school who led the state in kickoff return touchdowns.