(Tribune News Service) — For the first time in 20 years Isaac Bashi’s family will celebrate Thanksgiving Day together.

“All of our family, who can fit in here are coming for dinner,” said Bashi, a United States Army veteran who moved from Phoenix, Ariz., to Michigan along with his fiancé, Jassyel Tungol and their daughters Aria, 7, and Avalee, 2.

Another blessing for Thanksgiving Day is that Bashi will be hosting the holiday meal in a mortgage-free, renovated home that he received as part of a program offered by PNC Bank and the Military Warriors Support Foundation.

This much he knew about.

What he was not prepared for when he and his family arrived at their home was the red carpet celebration awaiting them in St. Clair Shores including: a fire truck escort; a school bus filled with students waving flags; other school children lining the sidewalk carrying signs that said, “Welcome To Shorian Nation,” “Congratulations!” and “ Welcome Home!” or Lake Shore High School’s marching band, cheerleaders and a host of others from the community, bank and foundation gathered in front of their house.

“It was surreal,” Bashi said, of the feeling that rose up in his chest once he realized they were all there for him.

“I’ve never felt that way before,” added the veteran, who earned multiple military awards for his service including the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

It was while deployed in Afghanistan that Bashi was injured.

“I suffered a traumatic brain injury from a roadside bomb,” said the 33-year-old veteran, who learned about the Military Warriors Support Foundation from other wounded warriors.

“They have a website where veterans can apply for a home, a car, mentorships and other programs,” Bashi said. “I checked it out every now and then to see where the homes were available.”

When one popped up in Michigan he applied.

“We have family here on my father’s side,” Bashi said. “We visited them at Christmas and we really like it here.”

Bashi said Phoenix can get pretty hot and he and his family are really looking forward to experiencing four seasons.

Among the people who played a role in the red carpet arrival was PNC Regional President Mike Bickers, who said PNC Bank became involved in the support foundation after witnessing the value a home donation provided a veteran.

That was in 2015.

Every year since then they have contributed to the house-giving program.

“This is now our eighth home donation, and we firmly believe it’s among the best ways we can honor a serviceman or woman who sustained injuries due to the execution of their duties in defense of our country,” Bickers said.

David Dougherty concurred.

“It’s an honor to serve our nation’s heroes in this way, awarding Isaac Joseph Bashi and his family with a beautiful mortgage-free home,” said the retired U.S. Army command sergeant major and vice president of Military Warriors Support Foundation.

“We thank PNC for their commitment to this program and continued support for our veterans. Without the relationship we enjoy and our shared values, this would not be possible,” added Dougherty, who joined Bickers for the home unveiling that included a surprise once the family got inside.

“It was above our expectations,” Bashi said.

They knew it was newly remodeled but figured it would be empty. Instead, they found the home filled with new appliances and furniture.

“There was even a Christmas tree with toys for the kids,” said Bashi, who works in Information Technology and provides consulting services to a variety of companies.

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