DECATUR, Texas ― To say there wasn't a dry eye in the house would be only a slight overstatement.

Lee Sage wanted to cry.

In fact, the Purple Heart recipient, who was shot by a sniper on May 8, 2011 while serving in Afghanistan, felt all the emotions of crying Saturday night in Decatur, Texas, but there were no tears.

"I don't cry," said Sage, who was paralyzed for nearly four weeks and still suffers from nerve damage from the waist down on the right side of his body, "but I want to. You know?"

Holding an oversized ceremonial skeleton key that Sage had been given along with four other wounded veterans - Raymond Queen, Don Cartwright, Hector Caceres and Felix Perez - the New Guinea native, who now lives in Duncanville, Texas, was in shock.

"I love these heroes. Except for the good Lord and my family, this is the greatest thing I've ever been involved in."

Like the four others in attendance, Sage was choked up and at a loss for words at this past weekend's Touring Pro Division event hosted by PBR legend J.W. Hart after learning they would be receiving keys to their very own homes. All five were also promised a $60,000-a-year job offer.

Sage and the rest of Saturday night's recipients described a tidal wave of emotions ranging from shock to happiness and joyfulness.

"I don't know," he said, struggling to put the evening's events into perspective. "I can't believe it. It's amazing."

Hart, who's annual event celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, and his fellow committee members - Andrew Rottner, Calvin Jackson, Wendell Berry and the late Roy Young - raised in excess of $100,000 prior to the event in order to purchase five foreclosed homes through the Military Warriors Support Foundation.

According to retired Lt. Gen. Leroy Sisco, who is the CEO of the foundation, the homes have a combined value of nearly $1.2 million.

Sage, Queen, Cartwright, Caceres, Perez and their respective families, who all reside in Texas, thought they were coming to Decatur to merely celebrate Military Appreciation Night.

They greeted each of the bull riders and Hart during the opening introductions and were in the arena when the Wise County Veterans Group presented the colors and flag for the national anthem.  At that time, Cody Lambert, a PBR co-founder, then rode in on horseback leading a second horse with an empty saddle in honor of Young, who died this past year, while in-arena announcer Brandon Bates read a prayer.

View more photos from the J.W. Hart PBR Challenge, here.

However, when the five veterans were brought back out to the center of the arena during a break between the first and second sections of competition, all five were led to believe they being recognized for their service.

It was more than that.

Sisco, who himself is a powerful and engaging public speaker, stunned the veterans with the announcement they would receive a new home in a city of their choosing, and then shocked even Hart and his fellow committee members when the general offered the promise of a jobs for each of the veterans.

"It gives you goose bumps, doesn't it," Sisco said. "I couldn't stop crying on stage long enough to talk I was so excited."

The combined $1.5 million value, including the veteran's job offers, is the largest single charitable donation made in the 20-year history of the PBR.

"It restores my faith," Queen said, "which lately, has been pretty shaken."

Sage agreed.

"Yeah, it does. It shows that people have loveable hearts," Sage said. "There's still good left in the world. … It's overwhelming that people care. It's the people here in the great state of Texas and the great country of the U.S. that raised money to allow me to get a home and-I don't know. It's hard to explain."

This will be the first time Queen has ever lived in his own home.

"I've never lived in my own home," Queen added. "Not as a child - never - and since I got out of the Army I never thought I'd be able to give my wife a home. It's been a tough five years. It really has and I never thought that this would happen. People I don't even know made this happen. That's just amazing to me."

Queen was stationed in Iraq for more than three years while serving in the U.S. Army and was the victim of four explosions involving improvised explosive devices. Doctors at a veteran's hospital have stated that his brain has shrunk in size due to having suffered multiple concussions.

Queen still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder that has resulted in ongoing issues with night terrors, anxiety and depression.

"This is life-changing," said Queen, whose wife Rebecca wiped away tears. "You know what I mean?"

Queen admitted that just one day earlier he was battling depression.

View more photos from the J.W. Hart PBR Challenge, here.

He and Rebecca are both students and were unsure how much longer they could afford the rent for a modest apartment in Watauga, Texas. However, the efforts of Hart and his fellow committee members, along with the willingness of the residents throughout Wise County, have changed all that.

"I was trying to make life work," he said. "I was trying to find somewhere, where I belong. I belong in the Army, but I can't do that anymore. I've been struggling trying to find where I belong. This gives me a home and place to start.

"I don't talk much," Queen continued. "It's hard for me to put my emotions into words. That's what my wife is for. She's my memory, my words, my thoughts-she's my everything. It's difficult for me, so all I can really say is this is probably the most amazing thing that's ever happened to me."

According to Sisco, each of the recipients will take part in what he calls a three-year mentoring program.

Not only will the veterans and their spouses be taught how to manage being a homeowner, but they will also take part in lectures in which they will build life skills that include everything from managing a monthly budget to purchasing a car.

Although they will be able to move immediately into their new homes - which were purchased by the Military Warriors Support Foundation from Chase Bank, Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank - each participant must complete the entire three-year mentorship prior to receiving the deed.

The Military Warriors Support Foundation has now granted a total of 346 veterans from throughout the country a new home. Sisco said they have worked with organizations like the National Football League and the Texas Rangers as well as former President George W. Bush and George Strait.

"I can't believe Decatur, Texas, could raise $100,000," Sisco said. "They raised more than that. We already started for next year. It's unbelievable. What can you say about the hearts of these people?"

"This means we can have a life," Queen said. "A real life."

Rebecca added, "It's definitely a real blessing."

"I love these heroes," concluded Sisco. "Except for the good Lord and my family, this is the greatest thing I've ever been involved in."

Learn more about Saturday night's recipients: 

LEE SAGE: Born in New Guinea and raised in Duncanville, Texas, Sage enlisted in the Navy on Sept. 17, 2002. He was shot by a sniper on May 8, 2011. Sage received a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and a Presidential Unit Citation-Navy. Sage, who is single, will receive a three-bedroom home in Crowley, Texas.

RAYMOND QUEEN: Born in McKinney, Texas, and grew up in nearby Grandbury. He enlisted in May 2005 and has received numerous honors and awards including the Combat Infantryman Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and is awaiting his Purple Heart after being involved in four or five IED explosions. Queen, who is married, will receive a three-bedroom home in Garland, Texas.

DON CARTWRIGHT: Born in Wharton, Texas, and raised in Orange Grove, Texas, until he enlisted in the service in 1988, where he served until he retired in 2012. He was injured in a firefight in Nov. 2007 when he was shot in the head and received shrapnel wounds to his legs. Cartwright has received countless awards such as the Legion of Merit, two Purple Hearts, Bronze Star with V Device, bronze Star Medal and nearly 40 other commendations. Cartwright, who is married and has one child, will received a three-bedroom home in Canyon Lake, Texas.

HECTOR CACERES: Born in El Salvador, Caceres grew up in Maryland and Texas before enlisting in the Army on November 14, 2000. Caceres suffered five gunshot wounds, shrapnel wounds and other injuries. He received the Purple Heart along with Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, three Overseas Service Ribbons, Combat Action Badge, Driver and Mechanics Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge and Driver Wheel Vehicle Badge. Caceres, who is married and has three children, will receive a four-bedroom home in Terrell, Texas.

FELIX PEREZ JR: Born in McAllen, Texas, and raised in Mission, Texas, he served in Iraq from 2006 to 2010. Perez suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and cannot travel after sundown. He has received the Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement, Meritorious Unit Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and Driver Mechanics Badge with Drivers Device. Perez, who is married and has one child, will receive a four-bedroom home in Mercedes, Texas.

Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.