DANIA BEACH (CBS4) – Special moments shared with family are not taken for granted by Joseph McKeon after having served as a soldier in Iraq for a year.

“An adjustment, the real sacrifice is made by the family. Everything she had to do, everything we would have done together, she did on her own,” McKeon told CBS4’s Nicole Maristany.

Since his return, McKeon has been busy as a new husband, father and owner of a new home.

“I told everybody ‘Yeah, I had this 5 year plan when I got back from Iraq’ and I just did it all in six months,” said McKeon.

But The McKeons didn’t know of another surprise that would help their new house become a home.

They were chosen as one of nine military families from local cities to receive a room makeover from a top notch South Florida designer in a program sponsored by the Dania Beach Design District.

“The designers that were involved needed to not only donate their time, they needed to solicit donations for the products and services,” explained Craig Urbine with the Dania Beach Design District.

“The whole experience was nothing short of wonderful,” designer Marla Jaffe exclaimed.

From the walls, to storage space, a one of a kind eco-friendly rug and brand new TV, Jaffe headed the effort and collaborated with 10 others to bring his idea of a functional and fashionable room to life.

“On a personal level, it made me feel like I was doing my part,” said Jaffe.

The team’s work paid off as the beautiful new space invites the McKeons to do what they cherish most; spend quality time together.

“I don’t believe it yet, like this is our room and it’s in our house – it’s awesome, I’m just really grateful,” said mother and proud wife Courtney McKeon.

For more information on how you can help the Military Room Makeover Project, call the Dania Beach Design District at (954) 822-1335 or e-mail daniabeachdesigndistrict.com for more information.