LEON SPRINGS, Texas – A local Army veteran and his wife received a gift from the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation too big to fit under any Christmas tree.

  • Army veteran gets new house for Christmas
  • Wheelchair bound after fighting in Afghanistan
  • Smart home gifted to veteran during ceremony

On Sunday, the couple received a new mortgage-free smart home.

"My first reaction [when I walked inside the house] was, I was almost lost inside the house," said U.S. Army SPC. Travis Worrell.

In May 2012, Worrell was severely injured during a firefight in Afghanistan. His wounds left him paralyzed from the chest down, and wheelchair bound. When he found out about the Foundation's Smart Home Program, which builds homes for catastrophically injured veterans, he decided to test his luck and apply. One year later, he finally heard back.

"I almost got to a point where I was like, 'Oh, I guess I got to get a place of my own,’ and then, they were like you're accepted into the program," Worrell said.

Worrell's home is the Foundation's first smart home built in Leon Springs, near San Antonio. To date, the Foundation has delivered, started construction or is in the design stage of a total of 75 homes nationwide.

"This is just one of our missions, building and gifting mortgage-free smart homes for catastrophically injured service members," said Andrew McClure of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

The new home has doorways wide enough for Worrell's wheelchair. The home’s electrical functions can also be fully controlled by smartphone or tablet. However, it's the kitchen space the veteran is looking most forward to.

"I'm super excited to cook for my wife. I can't wait to cook up some spaghetti," said Worrell.

In honor of the home's big reveal, the couple was escorted to the neighborhood by the Patriot Guard motorcycle escort, and color guard. They also took part in a homecoming ceremony where Worrell was given an American flag to fly outside his home.