“A dream come true.”

That is how U.S. Navy veteran Steve Messina described his new home on Saturday.

Holston Habitat for Humanity hosted a special ceremony on Saturday to dedicate Messina’s new home on Veterans Day. Habitat broke ground on the home in July and hoped to have it completed in time to dedicate it on Veterans Day since Messina is a veteran. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era.

During the ceremony on Saturday, Messina first gave thanks to God for blessing him with his home and the people who made it happen.

“The volunteers have done a great job,” Messina said. “There were hundreds of volunteers who helped.”

“It’s a dream come true,” he added as he looked at his house.

Messina also thanked Habitat for Humanity and the people in the program who worked with him.

Several representatives from Holston Habitat were on hand for the ceremony.

Mandy Penz, Volunteer Coordinator for Holston Habitat, also spoke about the number of volunteers who helped build Messina’s home.

“We had several colleges come out, several businesses, and lots of churches,” Penz said. “We are really thankful for the hard work and dedication.”

In addition to his home, Messina also received some gifts to help him get settled in.

Holston Habitat presented Messina with a gift certificate to their ReStore so he can purchase something for his home and an American flag.

Members of the Family & Community Education Clubs through the Carter County UT Extension Office made a wreath for Messina’s front door which features an American flag in tribute to his military service.

Susan Lane, with the Quilts of Valor Foundation, presented Messina with a Quilt of Valor made especially for him by members of the Sycamore Stitchers.

Lanelle Crockett with Holston Habitat read a portion the Bible from the Book of Luke, Chapter 6, where Jesus spoke of building a house on a foundation of solid rock.

She then spoke about the building of Messina’s home and explained that in addition to being built upon a strong foundation, volunteers had written Bible verses on the beams that make up the frame of the house.

“We know this house is bathed in God’s word, even within the very walls,” Crockett said as she presented Messina with a new Bible to go with his new home.

Messina’s home marks the completion of the 21st Habitat house or refurbishing project in Carter County.