Marine Veteran Cassie Pierre Receives Mortgage-Free Home in Waller Through Operation Homefront and PulteGroup’s Built to Honor Program
This December, just in time for the holidays, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Staff Sgt. Cassie Pierre and her three children received the keys to their brand-new, mortgage-free home in Waller, Texas—marking the joyful conclusion of a journey defined by service, strength, and resilience.
The surprise gift was made possible by Operation Homefront’s Permanent Homes for Veterans program in partnership with PulteGroup’s Built to Honor® initiative. Together, the organizations work to recognize veterans who have sacrificed for their country and help them achieve lasting stability through homeownership.
“My children only have one childhood, and they know what it’s like to lose everything,” Cassie shared. “Now, with a stable foundation, I can pursue nursing school, stay connected to vital healthcare for my family, and begin building the future we’ve long dreamed of.”
From Enlistment to Advocacy
Cassie joined the Marine Corps at just 17, seeking an escape from instability at home and a sense of belonging. She went on to serve with distinction—earning Marine of the Year honors and completing multiple overseas deployments. But like many women in the military, she faced invisible battles that extended beyond the front lines.
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Cassie developed disordered eating habits in response to the pressure of strict military weight standards—habits that escalated into bulimia as she juggled motherhood, mental health challenges, and the demands of service. Fear of appearing weak initially kept her from speaking out, but as her condition worsened, she sought support through military mental health services.
Diagnosed with bulimia nervosa and major depressive disorder, she entered a partial hospitalization program and now continues her recovery in outpatient care. Through it all, she has chosen transparency and advocacy—sharing her experience in hopes of helping other service members feel less alone and more empowered to seek help.
A Home Built With Purpose
The home Cassie and her children now live in was provided through Built to Honor®, a national program launched by PulteGroup in 2013 to provide mortgage-free homes to military veterans living with service-connected disabilities. To date, more than 95 families across the country have received homes through this initiative.
Recipients must meet eligibility criteria including honorable discharge, demonstrated financial need, and readiness for homeownership. Cassie’s story—of both extraordinary service and personal growth—embodied the mission of Built to Honor.
The Pierre family's new home in Stokesbury by Centex Homes, which is located in Waller. “Cassie embodies the spirit of service and strength that our Built to Honor program was created to celebrate,” PulteGroup shared following her selection.
Operation Homefront and Permanent Homes for Veterans
Cassie’s journey with Operation Homefront began earlier this year, when she applied to their Permanent Homes for Veterans program. She thought she was attending one final interview in August—but instead walked into a room filled with balloons, signs, and tears of joy. She had been chosen.
Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit focused on building strong, stable, and secure military families, has helped hundreds of veterans transition into permanent housing through its carefully structured programs.
This month, the Pierre family officially received the keys to their new home in the Stokesbury by Centex Homes community of Waller, joined by a proud circle of supporters—including representatives from Operation Homefront, PulteGroup, and local leaders from Harris County Precinct 4, where the home is located. As they settle into their new home, the Pierre family is entering the holiday season with a sense of stability, purpose, and long-awaited hope.
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This story is a reminder that home is more than a roof over your head—it’s a launchpad for dreams, healing, and future service. Through compassion, collaboration, and commitment, Cassie Pierre’s next chapter has just begun.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
