Roofers gave Army veteran Eric Stedman a free roof for his family’s 1850 farmhouse in Coopersville

Eric Stedman served eight years in the Army and did two tours, FOX 17 reported. A couple of years ago he and his family bought his wife’s childhood home in Coopersville, Michigan.

“This is a farmhouse that was built in 1850, so it needs almost top-to-bottom,” he told WOOD TV.

The roof had not been replaced in 30 to 40 years, he said, and the family could not afford to do it all at once. “A week ago, I had four inches of water built up in my basement from the rain,” he said.

His mother-in-law entered his name for a free roof from Dynasty Exteriors, a local company. The owner said they narrowed the applicants down to a handful and kept coming back to his. “There was just so much there that he had done for his community, for his family, and in our country,” he told WOOD TV.

When the crew took off the old shingles, they found water damage and rotting wood underneath, FOX 17 reported. They replaced the damaged plywood and fixed the gutters as well.

“It’s been a rough year for us,” Stedman said. “Good Lord knew we needed a hand.”

He said the help means he can now turn to the rest of the old house.