Decorating for Decorated Vets

A home decorated in 2014 by Swimming Pool Services for its Decorated Family Program.For the first time in years, the home of World War II vet Chuck Franzke of Waukesha, Wis., is lit with Christmas decorations. This year, Franske and his wife of 72 years, Beverly, received a holiday gift of exterior decorations from Swimming Pool Services, a local swimming pool and spa service company that for the past four years decorates homes of lucky vets as part of its Decorated Family Program.

During the offseason, the company turns its attention from pools and spas to design and installation of exterior holiday decorations. The program was created by the company to thank military families for their service and sacrifice. Each year one or more families receive free decorations, installed and removed gratis by the company.

"It's a great way to give back to people who are under-appreciated for their service in our country," says company co-owner David Thompson.