U.S. Marine Robert Vardaro got the surprise of his life Tuesday when he received his very first house in the town of Brooklyn, and it comes with a special bonus – his daughter.
The recently returned Private First Class has been in a custody battle over his little girl since his return to the United States. Now he has full custody of his daughter.
“I fought and won full custody of my daughter,” said Vardaro. “I’m truly blessed that this happened, so [the home] is the second best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Vardaro has been hoping to raise his daughter closer to his parents, who live in Massachusetts.
“It’s just so amazing,” said Anthony Vardaro, Robert’s father. “I can see the change it’s made in Robert.”
Robert Vardaro said he's thankful but remains mindful of other veterans in need.
“I’d never be able to afford a home, so this is amazing to me, but I know a lot of my friends are still suffering,” said Vardaro. “A lot of wounded warriors are still out there.”
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Bank of America, which partnered with the Military Warriors Support Foundation to set Vardaro up at his new home, has donated more than 1,500 homes nationwide to military veteran-support charities and other non-profit organizations.
“When Robert Vardaro walked through that door, I had goose bumps all over knowing that he served our country, and now has an opportunity to have this house,” said Dean Andrews, of Bank of America.
