Veterans Day surprise: Foundation does home repairs, gifts new appliances to Vietnam vet from Oconomowoc

 

OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) — Veterans Day is an annual reminder to show appreciation for those who fought for our country.

On Monday, a local veteran in Waukesha County was honored with a sweet surprise.

Bob Heckel, of Oconomowoc, is a Vietnam veteran.

He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1968.

"That was an experience I'll never forget. A lot of my friends didn't make it back," Heckel said.

Recently, his life hasn't been easy.

Heckel turned 80 years old a couple months ago and was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

"There's just some things I don't have the energy to do anymore," he said.

This Veterans Day, dozens of volunteers worked to take some stress off his shoulders.

"We're going to replace his deck, clean up all the extra overgrown weeds and trees," said John Bartelme, a Team Depot captain with the Home Depot Foundation.

The Home Depot Foundation and VFW Post 2260 teamed up for the Operation Surprise campaign, to help revamp Heckel's home.

"This month, we're doing hundreds of projects all around the country to help veterans and give back and honor those who served the country," Bartelme said.

Along with home repairs, Heckel got a big surprise: a new washer and dryer and a new oven.

"It's really a fantastic way for us to honor those that served the country," Bartelme said.

For Heckel, the support was overwhelming.

"It's way more than I expected," he said. "I just can't imagine all these people out here to do this for me. It's wonderful."