Round Lake Beach soldier surprised by home makeover
Army Master Sgt. Christopher Winling stared at his completely revamped basement, in awe of what had been accomplished while he was on duty in Afghanistan.
At the same time, his wife Jill and his twin children stared at him in awe that he's home.
“It has completely changed,” Winling said as he stared at the large flat screen television, the beige walls and carpet, and the clippings and medals from his years of active military service displayed on the basement walls. “I wouldn't have let my kids down here alone before.”
Winling returned to his Round Lake Beach home about 4:30 p.m. Friday after spending his third tour of duty in Afghanistan.
He was cheered on his arrival home by about 70 neighbors, friends, firefighters and police officers who made sure his return was a celebration.
As he exited the vehicle while carrying his youngest son, Winling thanked Operation Homefront-Illinois and a host of supporters for coming out to support him.
Operation Homefront-Illinois is a nonprofit organization that provides emergency assistance to active duty military families that have a spouse who has deployed and returned home from service.
They teamed with Galaxie Home Remodeling, Collaborate Design Studio, WLS-AM 890, Best Buy, Sherlock's Carpeting, Habitat Corporate Suites, Certa Pro Painters, Chicago Flameproof to offer a $50,000 home makeover while Winling was in Afghanistan.
Aside from a complete redesign of the basement, there were makeovers on the living room and dining room, said Linda Eisenberg of Collaborate Design Studio.
“We reached out to various vendors to get help on the project,” she said. “They were all thrilled to do it.”
Winling was escorted home by motorcyclists from the Warrior Watch Riders, and Round Lake Beach Police officers.
“I'm happy to be home to my wife and kids,” Winling said after pulling into the driveway. “I'm also anxious to see my house. I heard some work was done to it when I was gone.”
Winling, who is an active duty member of the Illinois Army National Guard, is home for a 30-day leave.
He is the recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart of Meritorious Service after being injured during an IED blast to his vehicle during a previous deployment in Iraq.