July 13, 2014

Home makeover for Scott City veteran

Matt Johnston, a Purple Heart Marine veteran battling stage-4 lung cancer, is surprised with a home makeover Sunday, July 13 in Scott City, Missouri.

Laura Simon and Fred Lynch

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Matt Johnston is escorted by Jason Wray through the throng of family, friends and volunteers who came to welcome Johnston back to his renovated house Sunday, July 13, 2014 in Scott City, Missouri.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Matt Dodds works on renovating the bathroom during a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Toshi Campbell, left, and Wendy Marberry with Realty Executives clean and organize the kitchen during a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Matt Dodds works on renovating the bathroom during a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Volunteers work on a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com T.J. Higgason, left, and Travis Goode work on installing a new porch during a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, T.J.'s father, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Jerry Beckett, left, and Manuel Goode work on replacing the deck during a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Volunteers work on a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com T.J. Higgason visits with Jenna, the family dog, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Workers from Bloomfield Road Lawn and Landscaping create a rock garden during a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Volunteers work on a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com The renovated home of the Johnstons is seen Sunday, July 13, 2014 in Scott City, Missouri.

The front door of the Johnston home welcomes visitors.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Matt Johnston is escorted by Jason Wray through the throng of family and friends who came to welcome Johnston back to his renovated house Sunday, July 13, 2014 in Scott City, Missouri.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Jason Wray, right, escorts Matt Johnston through the throng of family and friends who came to welcome Johnston back to his renovated house Sunday, July 13, 2014 in Scott City, Missouri.

A crowd follows the arrival of Matt Johnston.

Matt Johnston speaks to the crowd.

Matt Johnston reads his quotation on Jason Wray's shirt.

Matt Johnston speaks to the crowd.

Matt Johnston is greeted by the crowd.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Volunteers work on a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

Matt Johnston gets a first look as his renovated house is revealed.

Matt Johnston prepares to enter his renovated house.

Matt Johnston enters the living room of his renovated house.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Matt Johnston looks over the made-over living room of his house Sunday, July 13, 2014 in Scott City, Missouri.

The crowd waits for the arrival of the Marine Corps League color guard.

The Marine Corps League color guard arrives.

The Marine Corps League color guard approaches.

Matt Johnston salutes as the color guard approaches.

Matt Johnston embraces his son, T.J. Higgason, who came from Hawaii with his wife, Kayla, and daughter, Abbigail.

T.J. Higgason surprises his father, Matt Johnston, at the celebration.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Volunteers work on a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

Jason Wray escorts Matt Johnston and his family down to the new rock garden.

The new rock garden is revealed to Matt Johnston.

A new rock garden behind the Johnston home.

Benefactors provided a Honda Accord for Matt Johnston's family, and his home mortgage was paid off as well.

A banner with a quotation by Matt Johnston is displayed at the celebration.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Volunteers work on a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri.

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Matt Johnston, a Purple Heart Marine veteran battling stage-4 lung cancer, is surprised with a home makeover Sunday, July 13 in Scott City, Missouri.

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