FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Pvt. Maya Marshall, a 25-year old transportation management coordinator assigned to the 149th Seaport Operations Company, 10th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade, recently spent time with her mother, Barbara Marshall, in Fayetteville, N.C., during the filming of a two-hour special edition of Extreme Home Makeover set to air Oct. 21 on ABC.
Ms. Marshall is a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander who spent her career as a chaplain. Upon retiring from the Navy, Ms. Marshall began assisting homeless women veterans and their children with her organization, Steps N Stages. Initially she opened her own home to those in need. When it became apparent more room was needed to help the veterans and their families, she purchased a second house, naming it the Jubilee House. It is this house that recently received a makeover courtesy of Ty Pennington and his team of experts at Extreme Home Makeover.
Private Marshall took leave to visit her mother July 15. During her time in North Carolina, the young Soldier, who enlisted into the Army last year, was filmed at the start of the home projects portion of the show. She then flew to Orlando to meet her mother. Extreme Home Makeover provided the Marshalls and the three families currently staying in the Jubilee House a trip to Disney World as the team conducted the makeover.
"We returned to North Carolina from Orlando on a Wednesday night," said Private Marshall. "The next morning all of us were driven to the Jubilee Home to see it together for the first time since receiving the Extreme Home Makeover."
The Soldier saw the results of the Jubilee House makeover for the first time with none other than First Lady Michelle Obama. Private Marshall and her mother stood on either side of the First Lady as they took in the incredible sight of the home's transformation.
Private Marshall met with the First Lady as Mr. Pennington and the crew escorted Ms. Marshall into the new home.
"I told her (the First Lady) it was exciting to see how my mother, who by way of a simple gesture, has created an organization that has expanded and grown into something bigger," said Private Marshall. "She began by providing assistance in her local community but is now able to provide assistance to women veterans and their children around the nation."
As she walked into the Jubilee Home for the first time, she found herself amazed at the incredible transformation that had taken place.
"The entire place had increased in size," Private Marshall said. "Originally a one-story home the Jubilee House is now three stories in size. It was breathtaking to see it for the first time. It is incredible because now my mother is able to provide housing and assistance to more women and their children than she imagined when she first started. Before the makeover, she was able to assist three families, now there are eight bedrooms; it is simply an awesome sight to see."
When asked to share her feelings about her mother's selfless community work, Private Marshall had this to say, "It's an honor to see how my mother has been able to assist women veterans and their children as they transition into the civilian world. I myself hope to continue what she has started."