Ellen: Military Family Gets Big Surprise & Anthony And John House Gift

Ellen: Military Family Story

Ellen shared the story of Mark and Alicia Little, who live in Fairfox, Virginia. They’re huge Ellen fans. Mark said Ellen is everything he wants to be. He joined the military in 2002. It was all he ever wanted to do, ever since he was 8 years old dressing up like G.I. Joe for Halloween. He was only deployed once in his military career, to Iraq in 2007. The area in southern Baghdad that he was stationed in had really heavy fighting. He saw a truck that hadn’t been there before and just as he was about to radio, there was an explosion. The next thing he knew he was sliding down in his seat. That’s when he realized his legs were gone.

Doctors informed him that an injury of his nature would take 12 to 18 months to get better. A month after he got his legs, he was snowboarding. Two months later, he got the thumbs up from his physical therapist.

Since that time, he’s started a non-profit called Warrior 360. “We dedicate everything that we are to helping veterans and wounded service members in any capacity that they need,” Mark said.

However, Mark and Alicia are experiencing financial strain. The main source of income right now comes from Mark’s retirement. “We could live in a cardboard box together, as long as we’re together, we’ll be happy. So we’ll figure it out,” Mark said.

Ellen: How Did Mark And Alicia Meet?

Mark was on a road trip when he met Alicia. They were traveling through Atlanta and his best friend told him he wanted him to meet someone. He said no way, but he ended up meeting her anyway. Within four hours of meeting her, he told her he was going to marry her no matter what. “I was like, you’re cute,” Alicia said.

Alicia lived in Georgia and Mark lived in Virginia and their common friend was moving to St. Louis. Alicia never thought she would see him again. But he was very persistent. She went and spent a weekend with him in Virginia, and that’s when she knew he was the man for her.

Ellen: Warrior 360

Mark’s nonprofit Warrior 360 primarily provides financial assistance to veterans, particularly to those who’ve lost jobs, houses, or cars. “We don’t want to see that ever happen to a veteran no matter what,” he said.

The nonprofit also helps provide hope to combat wounded and amputees.

Ellen: Gift For Military Family

Anthony and John from Cousins Undercover on HGTV offered to help Mark and Alicia remodel their house. They’re going to take care of it for them. They said anything that can be done in 5 days, they’re going to do it. They said as inspiring as Mark said he found Ellen, that’s what he does for them.