Grass Seed USA Announces 2013 ‘Operation Home Turf’ Home Lawn Makeover Winners
Three US Veterans Win $500 Yard Facelifts and Patriots and Paws, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Wounded Warriors Project Receive Donations
SALEM, Ore. – Jan. 28, 2014 – Grass Seed USA, a coalition of American grass seed farmers, has named three U.S. veteran winners to receive home lawn makeovers through its second annual Operation Home Turf veteran appreciation program. Veterans Percy “George” Black of Altus, Okla., Noah Evans of Cushing, Okla., and Susan Goodin of Fountain Valley, Calif., were chosen by a public vote of servicemen and women nominated through Grass Seed USA’s Facebook page. Each will receive a spring lawn revitalization valued at $500.
“Operation Home Turf began as an opportunity to give thanks to veterans for their sacrifices and we’re thrilled to continue the program by honoring Mr. Black, Mr. Evans and Ms. Goodin,” said Bryan Ostlund, Grass Seed USA executive director. “A lush green lawn has long been a symbol of home and we hope that by providing our winners with complimentary lawn revitalization that they’re able to sit back, relax, and know that their service is appreciated.”
Additionally, Grass Seed USA will donate $250 to the veterans’ organization of each winners’ choosing. This year’s winners have selected Patriots and Paws, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Percy “George” Black – Altus, Okla. – Black joined the U.S. Air Force in 1956, straight out of high school. Based at Atlus Air Base, he became an aircraft technician. While at Atlus, he met his wife and they were married in the base chapel. He was then transferred to Washington D.C. to be a maintenance technician, specifically working on the aircraft for the Air Force chief of staff. After 11 years in Washington, he was transferred to Hawaii to become a flight engineer maintaining aircrafts for the senior commanders of the pacific. After his discharge as a master sergeant in 1976, he moved back to Atlus with his wife and children to start his own upholster business, which he still runs today. In the last year, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, experienced the passing of his wife, and had multiple surgeries. With everything going on, Black has not been able to keep up with yard work or finish several yard projects. Black has selected the Veteran of Foreign Wars, Oklahoma chapter for his donation.
Noah Evans – Cushing, Okla. – Evans enlisted in the Marines in 2003. After boot camp he joined the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense Specialists School where he excelled and was chosen as one of the top three students to stay following graduation. He became part of a team to evaluate, learn and test a cutting edge vehicle to harness the proficiency to train Marines to use the equipment in the field. He was discharged in June 2007 at the rank of sergeant. Following his discharge, he went back to school at Oklahoma State University for a business degree in agriculture. At school he met his wife. After graduation, he became a truck driver for a welding supply company, started a family and purchased a home with a yard. In late fall, he found out his wife was pregnant with twins, which required bed rest and hospitalization. During the time of his wife’s pregnancy, not only was he the sole provider for the family but he had to be the sole caretaker. Given his responsibilities to his job, family and church, the yard was understandably neglected. Evans has selected the Wounded Warriors Project for his donation.
Susan Goodin – Fountain Valley, Calif. – Goodin joined the Navy in June 1980. After boot camp in Orlando, Fla., she was stationed in Monterey, Calif., then transferred to the Navy Post Graduate School, specializing in personnel support. After four years of active duty, Goodin became a reservist, then moved to San Diego and Orange County as a petty officer second class in supply, dive and personnel support units. In 2003, she was recalled as a chief to active duty and spent two years in San Diego at the mobilization site for reservists being sent all over the world to support Operation Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. After her retirement from the Navy Reserves in 2006, she experienced numerous health problems and no longer had the support of her now ex-husband. Goodin became homeless. After several years of extreme hardship, Goodin was told about U.S. Vets in Long Beach, Calif., a program for homeless and unemployed veterans. Once she was settled in, she was able to contact the US Department of Veterans Affairs for programs designed to assist her with finding a home and securing custody of her youngest son. Currently, she fosters dogs with a local rescue organization and volunteers at the veteran organization Patriots and Paws. Her home is in need of a yard for the beauty it will bring to Goodinn and the joy it will bring to her son and dogs. Goodin has selected Patriots and Paws for her donation.