Kalispell combat vet awarded mortgage-free home
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Andrews and his family learned they’d be receiving a new mortgage-free, custom-built home during a Zoom meeting last week. (Courtesy photo)
One Kalispell veteran and his family will soon be receiving a mortgage-free home thanks to Operation Finally Home and Edge Development.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Andrews and his family were surprised with the news during a Zoom meeting on Wednesday. Work on the project is expected to begin within the next few months.
“In light of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve had to change the way we surprise veterans and host events,” said Rusty Carroll, executive director of Operation Finally Home. “It brought our team great joy to be able to connect virtually and see the reactions on the faces of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Andrews and his family as they learned they’d be receiving a new mortgage-free, custom-built home in their hometown of Kalispell.”
Edge Development and Operation Finally Home have been working together over the past year to identify the deserving veteran as well as customize the appropriate house plan. The Andrews’ home will be built in Meadow’s Edge, one of Flathead Valley’s newest subdivisions.
A staff sergeant in the Army, Andrews spent 10 years in and out of Afghanistan and Iraq as part of three combat deployments and was a member of the first American unit deployed to Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks. He parachuted into combat as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was leading his men under fire against insurgents when he was directly hit by a vehicle borne improvised explosive device in 2007. Disregarding his own safety, Andrews saved his fellow service members by killing three insurgents attempting to ambush his squad.
Although he survived two additional explosions, Matthew now suffers from Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder along with migraines and vertigo. He also sustained injuries to his neck, knee and lower back during his service. Andrews was recognized with multiple awards for his service, including the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and National Defense Service Medal, among others.
Andrews is passionate about ministering to veterans in addition to active duty military and their families. He completed his bachelor’s degree from Liberty University in 2016 and has been accepted to the Master of Divinity program. He is also licensed by the Southern Baptist Convention as an associate pastor.
Andrews and his wife, Michelle, have three children. In 2017, they moved from Kalispell to Tatum, Texas, to be closer to family before making the move back to Flathead a few years later.
Based in New Braunfels, Texas, Operation Finally Home was established in 2005 to provide homes and home modifications to America’s military heroes and widows of the fallen. The organization recently launched its 200th project.