"EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION" HONORS A DECORATED DISABLED VETERAN WHO HAS WORKED WITH CONGRESS TO IMPROVE VETERANS' BENEFITS

Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell Meets with the Family

"Cooper Family � "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" continues its journey to honor special everyday heroes and stops in Martin County, NC, where Jeff Cooper and his family will be informed that their decaying home will be rebuilt in seven days. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" airs SUNDAY, JULY 5 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 5/3/09)

U.S. Army Combat Medic Jeff Cooper served in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, earning numerous medals of honor, but also leaving him suffering with Gulf War Syndrome. Now confined to a wheelchair, Jeff suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and ongoing immune system disorders. Although constantly in pain, he continues to fight for his fellow servicemen, single handedly lobbying the State Senate to pass legislation to provide all veterans who served in this war with a special license plate of recognition. His heroism hit close to home when son Aaron was run over by a garbage truck as he was emptying the garbage on the street for pickup. Although Jeff kept his son alive performing vital lifesaving procedures, Aaron lost most of his right arm. While this family has endured many trials, they've remained upbeat and happy. But life in their ill equipped home is hard: It's a moisture-plagued double wide with poor electrical, a sinking roof and a rotting wheelchair ramp.

While Ty and the designers, local builder Aronov Homes, Inc and hundreds of volunteers and workers are rebuilding their home, the Cooper family will go on vacation to Washington, DC. While there, the family meets former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin L. Powell, who presents them with a gift.

The design team for this episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will feature team leader Ty Pennington and designers Michael Moloney, Ed Sanders and Paige Hemmis. The series is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It's executive-produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.