Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Season Premiere Showcases Model Military Community
America’s First Military Sanctuary Community in Fayetteville, NC sets the standard for what a military community should be
September 2011
Fayetteville, NC - September 20, 2011 – Big things are happening in Fayetteville, North Carolina, a place better known as America’s First Military Sanctuary Community. So big, in fact, that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will showcase the military community on its two-hour season premiere this Sunday, September 25. An army of 4,000 volunteers put in 33,000 man hours to build a 5,000 square foot, three-story house for Navy veteran Barbara Marshall and her family in just seven days – a feat that might seem astounding to an outsider. But for Fayetteville, a community with one of the largest military installations in the country, this is just the kind of thing that happens every day in our county. The Extreme team is accustomed to being well-received when they roll into town. The show’s producers are quick to say they couldn’t do what they do without help. What they weren’t prepared for was the magnitude of support they found in Fayetteville, especially once it was announced that the family receiving a complete home rebuild was a military family. First Lady Michelle Obama even got involved with the build as part of her new Joining Forces initiative. Her involvement will be featured on the season premiere. This isn’t the first time the First Lady has paid a visit to America’s Hometown: Fayetteville’s Fort Bragg was Mrs. Obama’s first stop outside of Washington, D.C., as First Lady in March of 2009. During that trip, she described Fayetteville and Cumberland County as “a model community when it comes to taking care of military families.” She also endorsed the community’s mission of “watching over those who watch over us.” “There’s something of a ‘perfect storm’ brewing in Fayetteville right now with all of the exciting things on the horizon,” says John Meroski, President and CEO of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This community has definitely set the standard for what a military town should be. It is truly a special place that everyone should experience firsthand.” Fayetteville and Cumberland County are home to the Army’s Army – the world’s only non-profit volunteer organization of citizens and businesses who have pledged their support to those in the military. The Army’s Army was one of two community organizations selected to take a leading role in the Extreme build. “When Extreme Makeover: Home Edition comes to town, we come in and try to support the entire community and get involved with causes that are important wherever we are,” said Extreme Senior Producer Milan Vasic. “Because of the significant military presence here, we selected the Army’s Army and the USO of NC in Fayetteville.” ABC and Extreme were so blown away by the support they received from the Army’s Army that they recognized the organization as a leading military support organization on their website, “A Better Community,” which is dedicated to recognizing those individuals and organizations that go above and beyond to make a difference. You don’t have to look very hard to find visible displays of military support throughout the Fayetteville community. Several months ago, a flash mob paid tribute to a Fort Bragg soldier and his family. As Sergeant First Class Brandon Roller, his wife Shelby and their seven daughters walked through Cross Creek Mall, more than 35 singers started surrounding them one by one. The singers began singing “America the Beautiful” and joined the family as they continued moving through the mall. By the time the song reached its emotional conclusion, the crowd of singers and spectators had grown to hundreds of people. America’s Hometown was named as an All-America City for the third time this past June and was selected as the location for the North Carolina Veterans Park that was dedicated on July Fourth. The community has also been recognized by Peter Greenberg as one of America’s most patriotic communities in Newsmax magazine and by Time magazine as America’s most pro-military town. Fayetteville’s extraordinary military support will be displayed during the upcoming Heroes Homecoming, Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s 10-day celebration giving Vietnam veterans the welcome home they deserve but never received. Heroes Homecoming was recently designated as an official Veterans Day Regional Site for the celebration of Veterans Day 2011 by NC Governor Beverly Perdue and the U.S. Department of Defense. More than 50 events recognizing the service and sacrifice of our veterans will take place from November 4-13, making it the largest reunion of its kind. Adrian Cronauer, the inspiration behind the movie Good Morning, Vietnam is the spokesperson for Heroes Homecoming. For information on planning a trip to Fayetteville/Cumberland County, visit www.visitfayettevillenc.com.
About the FACVB:
The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Fayetteville/Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information, visit www.visitfayettevillenc.com or call 1-800-255-8217. Fayetteville/Cumberland County is America's first military sanctuary. Through the Army's Army and other volunteer groups, our citizens and businesses are dedicated to “watching over those who watch over us.”
Press Contact: Leah Knepper (lknepper@rubberneckmedia.com), 888-98-HEROES
