(WJW) — A local veteran received the surprise of a lifetime Thursday during “New Day Cleveland,” and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Dave Mortach, of Mortach Financial, surprised marine veteran Chris Miller by paying off the mortgage on his new home.

“You will be mortgage-free for the rest of your life with you, your wife and your family,” said Mortach. “I am so proud to know these two people.”

“There’s not enough words or anything I can say,” said Miller, who broke down in tears. “Thank you.”

Miller lives in Portage County. He enlisted in the service when he was 18. During his tour of duty, he was shot twice, stabbed once and fell off a 50-foot cliff.

“I can become that better father, better husband, better provider for my family because Dave decided to do the unimaginable,” said Miller.

And it couldn’t have come at a better time. Miller’s service dog Zulu will undergo ACL surgery next Thursday. Miller and Zulu now travel the country offering encouragement to his fellow veterans who may be struggling.

“We’ve been doing this for so many years and never once took a penny for anything. And the first penny we get is a man who is making things easier for my wife and my family,” said Miller.

“I feel like saying thank you is so inadequate,” said Miller’s wife, Elizabeth. “We can provide for our boys, we can build our farm, we can do all these things because that weight is gone.”