Disabled veteran Sgt. Perry Haley received a great surprise on CNN this afternoon when Brooke Baldwin announced he and his family would be getting a new home.
Before the segment, Baldwin teased an Oprah-like moment.
CNN Newsroom surprise alert… I’m going to be channeling @Oprah… #thankyoutoourheroes
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— Brooke Baldwin (@BrookeBCNN) February 19, 2014
After talking to Perry about his injuries sustained in Iraq—along with his wife’s cancer afterward—Baldwin introduced a surprise. Onto the set walked representatives from Operation Finally Home and home building company Pulte Group, telling the Haley’s they will be receiving a brand new mortgage-free home.
“We were picked?” one of the Haley’s three kids on-set asked mom. Baldwin tells TVNewser the segment was one of her most special moments at CNN.
“I wanted to shout to the family and kids: You get a house! You get a house! You get a house!” Baldwin tells TVNewser. “I mean… how awesome was that? And the family could not have been more grateful. Definitely one of the coolest surprises I’ve ever been a part of on CNN. We need to do that again…”
And veterans on social media appreciated the gesture.
@BrookeBCNN as a vet myself that is an awesome gift to our injured vets #thankyoutoourheroes
— Michael Thombs (@Michael93012) February 19, 2014
@BrookeBCNN I am crying your last segment was so touching my thoughts & prayers are with the family
— Ashley Boasso (@AshleyBoasso) February 19, 2014