MILITARY Hero GIVEAWAY 2026
Randy Palmeri and Son Contracting Announces Winner of the Veteran's Exterior Home Makeover Context
ROCKFORD, IL – Following a recent call to the community for nominations, Randy Palmeri & Son Contracting is thrilled to announce that local veteran Ronald Meidinger is the official recipient of the 2026 Military Veteran Exterior Home Makeover.
The contest, which invited local residents to nominate deserving military veterans for a top-to-bottom property makeover, brought in an overwhelming number of incredible entries from across the community this year.
The chosen local hero will receive a comprehensive, completely FREE home transformation featuring a brand-new roof, gutters, fascia and garage doors. To ensure the winning veteran does not pay a single penny, all labor and high-quality materials are being fully covered by Randy Palmeri & Son Contracting, alongside the vital support of premier industry vendors like IKO Roofing.
“This project is a massive collective effort, and we are incredibly grateful to our partners who stepped up to help us honor a local hero,” says Randy Palmeri, owner of Randy Palmeri & Son Contracting. “While the financial value of a top-to-bottom exterior remodel is substantial, the true value is in showing our deepest gratitude to someone who sacrificed so much for our country. They protected our freedom, so the absolute least we can do is protect their home.”
The home makeover initiative was originally sparked by a shared desire within the Palmeri family to give back to the Rockford area.
“Reviewing these stories is incredibly moving, and without question, choosing just one individual is the hardest part of the entire project,” Palmeri adds. “Every single nominee is a true hero. We are honored to step up for our veteran community and cannot wait to get to work on this home transformation.”
Renovation work on the winning veteran’s home is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.
2026 Winner Nomination
2026 Military Giveaway Recipient, Ronald Meidinger, was nominated by his wife, Diane Meidinger. Read her submission below.
Today, I honor a man whose life has been defined by service, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. For 21 years, from 1978 to 1999, he proudly served as a United States Marine. His duty often called him far from home, across oceans and into uncertainty, leaving behind his devoted wife and three children. While he answered the call to serve his country, his family carried the quiet strength of sacrifice—enduring long separations, holding the home together, and welcoming him back with love each time.
Service like his does not end when the uniform comes off. The years of dedication, discipline, and responsibility continue to shape his life and the lives of those around him. Today, as he looks toward officially retiring, it is our privilege to give something back like a new roof, gutters.
A new roof, siding, and gutters represent more than just repairs to a house—they symbolize security, stability, and appreciation. It a small but meaningful way to say thank you for the years he spent protecting others while his own family waited at home.
May this home stand strong, just as he has. May it provide comfort, peace, and well-earned rest in this new chapter of life. And may it always serve as a reminder that his sacrifices—and those of his family—are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated.
With gratitude and respect, we would dedicate this gift to a Marine, a husband, a father, and a man who has given so much in service to others.
Sincerely,
Diane Meidinger