MACON, Ga. — A couple who are both Navy veterans received a home mortgage-free and fully furnished in Macon .

Michael Gawlik served 10 years in the U.S. Navy as a petty officer starting in 1999. He was deployed in Iraq. Gawlik was injured in combat and says coming back was hard.

"The Vietnam veterans, they deserve a lot too," he said. "I did what I had to do for me and my family."

He says he struggled to get back on his feet until he met his wife Beata, also a Navy veteran. They had a son together Peter and he says his dad is a hero.

"And it honors me that you all call me a hero because I'm really now, I kind of believe that I'm now starting to feel like a hero," Gawlik said.

The home is 100% paid for. Michael and his family moved from South Carolina after applying for the home with

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