Best TV Show of the Week
Extreme
Makeover: Home Edition
on ABC
By catherine Nailog
The honor of
Best TV Show of the Week
goes to ABC’s
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Veteran’s Day special. Airing on Friday, November 11, 8:00
p.m. (ET), the episode was dedicated to soldiers who have served, and who are
serving, in America’s military. In conjunction with the Entertainment Industry
Foundation, the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition episode focused on raising funds
for various veterans’ charities and making viewers aware of the plight of the
American soldier. Ty Pennington and singer Jewel hosted the event, which
included an audience of veterans, active military, and their families. In nine
seasons of the show, Ty and his team have built homes for numerous soldiers and
their families. On this special episode, they re-visited some of those
soldiers.
Designer Paige Hemmis went to Kansas to visit with Daniel Gilyeat, who had lost
his leg in 2005 while serving in Iraq. The Extreme Makeover team had built a
new home for him and his family in 2008. He was so grateful for his new home
that he became involved with a group that built homes for wounded soldiers.
Daniel told Paige that even though he lost his leg while serving, he still felt
that he hadn’t given enough of himself, compared to his friends that lost their
lives in the war.
Joining Ty, Jewel, and Paige were special guests: Shane Victorino of the
Philadelphia Phillies; Daniel Murphy of the New York Mets; and Clay Buchholz of
the Boston Red Sox. They introduced Major League Baseball programs that helped
veterans and their families with post-war medical treatments and with the
reintegration into civilian life. Major League Baseball also dedicated the
first game of the World Series to veterans and their families.
Being away from one’s family is difficult both for the soldier and for the
children left behind. Designer Paul Dimeo visited Staff Sergeant Dickinson, who
had served in Afghanistan while the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team built a
new home for him and his family in May 2011. Staff Sergeant Dickinson expressed
his appreciation for the spouses of soldiers who take on double the
responsibility at home during the soldiers’ absence.
Paul then visited Barbara Marshall, whose home was built by the Extreme
Makeover: Home Edition team in September 2011. Barbara, a veteran, has
dedicated her life to help female veterans get back into civilian life by
offering shelter and employment services. Paul then visited Judy, a woman who
stayed at Barbara’s home during the time of the build. Paul was thrilled to see
that Judy now has her own place and is looking forward to a better future for
herself.
Designer Ed Sanders visited ex-Marine Jason Thomas and his family. They were
built a new home in February 2007. Since last seeing them, Jason and his wife
had started a non-profit foundation that helps veterans. Ed also wanted to see
the flag, the project that nearly cost Ed his hand, which now hung in the
Thomas’ dining room. To Jason, the flag embodied all those who sacrificed their
time and their lives for the safety of Americans.
Ed then took Jason to Ground Zero in New York, where on September 11, 2001,
Jason in his Marine uniform, helped bring to safety two Port Authority
policemen, John McLoughlin and Will Jimeno, who were trapped deep in the
wreckage of the Twin Towers. At Ground Zero, John and Will met Jason for the
first time. They were very grateful to the man who saved their lives and
appreciated the opportunity to meet him.
The show ended with Jewel performing her song, “Hands,” for the audience and
dedicating it to the men and women serving in the military.
This episode deserves to be the
Best TV Show of the Week
because it was an inspirational story of the men and women who have served and
continue to serve in America’s military. It was a show in which all members of
the family could appreciate the trials and the sacrifices of service-men and
-women at home and abroad. It is through these soldiers’ bravery and commitment
that one back home can be free to work, to read the daily newspaper, and to
watch one’s child play a football game. These soldiers give up so much of
themselves so that those back home could have the bountiful opportunities that
America provides. So on this Veterans Day, thank you to all the military who
have sacrificed their lives in keeping this nation safe. Thank you to all the
military and their families who continue to protect the freedoms that America
holds dear. Your sacrifices have not been forgotten.
Best TV Show of the Week
The Parents Television Council -
www.parentstv.org
