Navy Recruiters and First Lady Michelle Obama to Appear on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

RALEIGH, N.C. (NNS) -- Sailors with Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Raleigh stood alongside members of the Army, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard while helping reveal a new home built for a Navy veteran in Fayetteville, N.C., July 21.

Ty Pennington and his crew built the home in just one week in 2011 during one of the hottest summers on record as part of the ABC network show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

The recipient of the home, Navy veteran Barbara Marshall, provides housing to homeless female military veterans. NRD Raleigh's Sailors were invited to provide morale and a military presence for the big reveal. They also helped the crowd yell "Move that bus!" which is how the home is revealed to the recipient.

Special guest stars are often featured on Extreme Makeover. First Lady Michelle Obama was on the scene to meet the homeowner and greet the crowd. Recruiters got to see her up close and some even got to shake her hand and give her a hug.

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Emecher Jacobs said was overcome with emotion at the experience.

"To be in the same space and embraced by the First Lady was indescribable," Jacobs said.

The heat index was 102 degrees and military members were dressed in their working uniforms with covers on. Crowd members remarked that the uncomfortable surroundings paled in comparison to getting to meet the First Lady.

"My experience was simply breathtaking," said Personnel Specialist 1st Class Andrea Taylor, also in the military section. "I had so much I wanted to say to her and when she hugged me I literally lost my breath. Meeting her was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life."

Lt. Cmdr. Keith Sarich helped build the house just days before the big reveal.

"We worked downstairs in the basement and helped construct the steps and landing," Sarich said. "It was a very fast-paced environment and the heat was unbearable but the crew was impeccable and provided plenty of support."

The show featuring Barbara Marshall and her new home is set to air sometime in October 2011.

For more news from Navy Recruiting District - Raleigh, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrdraleigh/.