The Comeau Family

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Stephen Comeau comes from a family devoted to military service, growing up with a father who served in Vietnam and a grandfather who served on the U.S.S. Franklin in World War II. Believing that he was called to continue his family’s legacy by joining the U.S. Marine Corps, Comeau left for boot camp in October 2000. He excelled as a Marine and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sgt. within several years of service.

Comeau served in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, completing four combat deployments. During these deployments, Comeau suffered injuries from several blast incidents as well as a Humvee accident. Despite his injuries, he continued to serve in combat, enduring great physical and mental pain until he was transferred to the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California, for treatment. Comeau was diagnosed with a number of injuries, including degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis of the hip, tinnitus, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

After 12 years and eight months of dedicated service as a Marine, Comeau medically retired from the military. Due to his heroic service, he was awarded a Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Valor, Combat Action Ribbon, Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals with two stars each, National Defense Service Medal and many more.

Since medically retiring from the military, Comeau and his wife, Melissa, have both dedicated their lives to helping veterans. Comeau works to inspire fellow veterans to reach out for the support and care they need, while Melissa works as an Online Community and IT Systems Manager for the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN), in addition to having served as a Fellow for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. Melissa has published her own book, Sleeping With the War, a poetic take on life after combat and its lasting effects. The couple has a 7 year-old son, and is excited to settle down as a family in their new home.

Operation FINALLY HOME and Bilmar Homes, along with sponsor Christian Brothers Automotive, are honored to work together to provide the Comeau family with a home to call their own in Sante Fe, Texas!