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Volunteers Work To Fix Up Local Veterans' Homes

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - It is the ultimate way to give back to a man who gave so much for his country.

A local Vietnam veteran is getting some much-needed home improvements, thanks to dozens of volunteers.

Army veteran Harold Saunders, 67, has lived in his home in Schenley Heights for nearly four decades, but maintaining the house over the years, has been a challenge.

"Things just got behind a little bit and it got bigger and then when you're working on one thing, something else breaks down," Saunders said.

The house needed a lot of work and that's where some volunteers helped out.

They are Home Depot employees taking part in the company's annual Celebration of Service.

"Our associates are very proud to come out and help and give their time and effort and really use the skills that they have that they've learned at Home Depot to come in and help out the community," Home Depot's Dave Musen said.

Volunteers, in partnership with Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, have been working at Saunders' home for a few weeks. They've been doing everything from installing new windows and flooring to drywalling and painting, even landscaping.

In the front yard, they put up an American flag.

"He gave so much of himself not just during his service, but also to his community. He's been in this house for a long time and this is a place he feels very attached to," Alan Sisco, of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, said.

Saunders said there is no way he would have been able to make the repairs on his own.

"Best people I've ever seen. Makes you forget about a whole lot of things that are bad and you see nothing but good, good folks, good people," Saunders said.

As for as his service to our country:

"That was nothing, really nothing. That was so long ago. I'm glad it's over, but I'd do it again if I had too," he said.

Volunteers with Home Depot are revamping nearly a dozen homes across the Pittsburgh area, 500 nationwide, all for veterans.

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