(Editor’s Note: Some information for this story is courtesy of the Emily Dougherty and the Brighton Standard Blade of Brighton, Colorado.)
Aaron Bugg, a Wound Warrior who attended school in Marionville, arrived home from a trip recently to find his home in Brighton, Colorado, had a makeover while he was gone.
Bugg and his wife, the former Lisa McCroskey from Marionville, went on a fishing trip in early January in Florida. Officials of NBC Sport Network’s Ultimate Fishing Experience television series arranged the trip partly as a cover to get him away from his home for a few days.
While Lisa was privy to some of the details, she did not know the whole list of improvements volunteers planned to make to the home. Volunteers designed the improvements to make the home more accessible and user-friendly for Bugg.
Bugg sustained multiple injuries when an improvised explosive device exploded under the vehicle in which he was riding on September 28, 2004, while serving with the U.S. Army near Kirkuk, Iraq. He still stuggles with the injuries to his leg.
Bugg and McCroskey were married on November 13, 2004, while he was receiving treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The coupled had originally planned to get married after he returned from his tour of duty a few months later.
The big reveal at the home brought together local and national organizations, home building providers and community members who worked together on the renovation, which also included new appliances, counter tops, a jetted tub, fresh coats of paint and a new 55-inch television for Aaron’s man cave that also features memorabilia from his fishing trip.
"I had no idea what was going on before and during the trip, but was so thankful for the incredible things that happened!" said Aaron.
In addition, when Aaron and Lisa arrived at Denver International Airport, they were met and escorted home by the Patriot Guard Riders amid a multitude of flags.
"This was the homecoming Aaron never got due to waking up in an ICU room at Walter Reed Army Medical Center," said Lisa.
The Ultimate Fishing Experience on the NBC Sports Channel (formerly Versus) recognizes American heroes. The first episode aired January 5. The Bugg home makeover, episode five, is slated to run sometime in early February.
Lisa's parents are Marilyn and Bruce McCroskey of Marionville. Lisa's grandparents are Mildred and the late Eual McCroskey of Billings and Edna and the late Bill Tappana of Marionville. Aaron's grandmother lives in Stockton.
Aaron and Lisa have known each other since seventh grade at Marionville. At the end of their sophomore year, Bugg and his family moved to Texas, where he graduated from high school and joined the Army.
