Thursday Retired Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Julie Barcheers was rewarded for her hard work and dedication to the country with the keys to a beautiful home in Hide-A-Way Lake.

The refurbished home was donated mortgage free by Bank of America and Merrill Lynch in partnership with the Military Warriors Support Foundation.

“This is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me and all I can do is say thank you all. It’s made a big difference,” Barcheers said.

Barcheers, a mother of four and grandmother of 12, began her military career in the Navy in 1979. After six years with the Navy, she re-entered civilian life before returning to the military in 1998. From 2003-05, Barcheers worked with the Air Force Security Forces on “Operation Enduring Freedom” and then worked in Plaquemines Parish following Hurricane Katrina from 2006-07. In 2008, she was deployed to Iraq where she sustained injuries to her shoulders, neck, back, knees and a traumatic brain injury after a rocket exploded near her and another soldier.

In addition to her military service, Barcheers worked as a reserve patrol corrections deputy during her civilian years. During which, she suffered an attack from an inmate that left part of her face paralyzed. The injury earned her a Law Enforcement Purple Heart.

She said she found out about the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s housing program through a friend. About a month ago, Barcheers got a call giving her the good news, she qualified for the house.

The three bedroom, two bathroom house was completely refurbished and came with brand new appliances.

As she toured her new home, Barcheers exclaimed to friend Vickie Boswell, “it’s just my size.”

“Outside of my kids and grandkids, this is the best day of my life,” Barcheers said.

Originally from Florida, Barcheers decided to move to Mississippi because of her friends the Boswells, who live in Hattiesburg. She chose the Carriere area because she wanted a place that offered established friends and Veteran’s Administration.

Barcheers officially moves into the house next week when her furniture arrives from Georgia, where she had been living. She said she is most looking forward to decorating the house.

Barcheers is already making plans for the shed in her spacious backyard. She said wants to get into ceramics and pottery and hopes to turn the shed into a workshop for future projects.

She also looks forward to visits from her children and grandchildren and watching her four dogs play in the backyard from the porch.

Barcheers said now that she has received this wonderful gift, she hopes to help other veterans like her.

“I feel appreciative,” Barcheers said. “I feel this is a wonderful project and I plan on making sure those that qualify can get into the program because there are so many of us that could use the help to get started in the right direction because if you don’t have roots you can’t move forward.”

Barcheers recently joined the VFW in Hattiesburg and is looking forward to becoming involved with the organization as a way to “pay it forward.”