George Strait Surprises Veteran with New Home at Concert
During a concert in Pittsburgh on May 31, country music icon George Strait took a moment to honor a wounded military veteran by presenting him with a brand-new home.
Strait paused his performance to acknowledge Purple Heart recipient Sergeant Derequoustin Austin, as seen in fan-recorded footage shared on YouTube. The crowd heard a moving story about Austin’s bravery and sacrifice.
“I want to talk about this American hero, and tell me what he did for our freedom,” the announcer remarked, setting the stage for the heartfelt moment.
The audience learned that Austin had been “deployed to Afghanistan and seriously injured by shotgun wounds when the convoy was attacked.” The announcer added, “As a result, he also suffered severely from TBI and PTSD.”
Strait expressed his gratitude in a unique way, saying, “I’m going to say thank you in a very, very special way. I’ll give this hero a beautiful home!” As he handed Austin the keys, the crowd erupted in applause, encouraging the recognition of the war hero.
The joy of the event was palpable, especially when the announcer highlighted the collaboration with the Military Warrior Support Foundation, noting that this was the 124th home provided through their joint efforts. “George, that’s worth the roughly $61 million we gave together,” the announcer said, emphasizing Strait’s commitment to supporting veterans.
The foundation’s website points out that George Strait, a veteran himself, has been a long-time supporter of American service members. Over the past 14 years, he has helped provide homes for wounded veterans across 32 states.
