Veteran Surprised with Home at 1st Panthers Game

SUNRISE, Fla. -The Florida Panthers recently took the term "home game" to a whole new level.
After being honored as part of the "Heroes Among Us" program during Florida's 4-1 win over Edmonton on Thursday night at BB&T Center, Retired United States Army Sergeant Victor Larronde was shocked to discover he had one more surprise in store, a gift that would undoubtedly change his life forever.

With the help of the Military Warriors Support Foundation, Larronde was awarded a ceremonial deed to a mortgage-free home in South Florida. In order to be eligible for this incredible donation, the U.S. Army veteran completed a three-year family and financial mentorship program sponsored by Walmart.
"I'm definitely excited about this moment," Larronde said. "I'm very happy. Everybody who's out here showed a lot of love and a lot of support for the veterans, and that means a lot to me. I want to speak for the veterans and say that we really do appreciate this.
"It's a great feeling to know that I own a house and can definitely provide for my family. It's a great feeling. It's definitely a moment in my life that I appreciate. I've served my country, and this is more than enough that I can ask for. I owe the military a lot; the military doesn't owe me."
Founded in 2007, the Military Warriors Support Foundation provide programs that support wounded veterans and Gold Star families. Their programs focus on housing, employment, recreational activities and transportation assistance. In addition to receiving these items, they also receive financial coaching.
Panthers Chief Operating Officer Sean McCaffrey said the idea to bring Larronde to a game started in June.
"The Warriors Support Foundation had done this with other teams in the past," said McCaffrey, who served in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer from 2004-09, including 16 months in Iraq. "They reached out and told us they had a veteran in Palm Beach County that was going to be receiving a home. They wanted to do it at a sporting event to highlight the efforts of the Foundation, so I said "Let's go for it!" … It all came together really nicely. It was a very special moment."
McCaffrey said the element of surprise made the moment that much more enjoyable.
"Very cool," he said. "He's a guy that's been through a lot and has seen a lot of his brothers and sisters in arms suffer. He's also probably suffered himself. To take care of a fellow veteran in and around Veteran's Day was perfect."
In the service from 1997 until 2003, Larronde was deployed to Bosnia and Iraq. For his actions during these tours of duty, he was awarded several accolades, including the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge and an Iraq Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star.
"I learned a lot during my time in the service," Larronde said. "I made a lot of good friends. Unfortunately, there's some that have passed away, but they'll never be forgotten. Like I said, the Army definitely prepared me. I owe a lot to the army. If it wasn't for the Army, I wouldn't be here."
With a new home in the area, Larronde said that although Thursday was his first Panthers game, it certainly won't be his last.
"My son is definitely interested in hockey," he said. "From now on, we're going to get him involved in hockey. It looks like we're going to bring him back more often now."