CARLSBAD, Calif. — The saying goes, "a friend in need is a friend, indeed."
One local hero has friends across the country - and right here in San Diego -sending him a very big “thank you for your service” by surprising him with a brand-new car.
Retired US Navy Special Operator First-Class Christopher Maddox was honored with a payment-free 2025 Honda CR-V.
Maddox served from 2005 until 2016 and was a lead medic and lead breacher with SEAL Team 8 during several deployments in Iraq and Africa.
After getting the keys to his brand-new CR-V, Maddox shared how he was feeling.
“I’m in a lot of shock still. It’s not sinking in right now. I don’t know how to say thank you for this.”
Maddox, his partner Talia Oren and their dog Remington are already in love with Chris’ new ride.
Maddox is an American Hero whose heroism has earned him awards such as the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
After Maddox medically retired from the military in 2016, he, like a lot of veterans struggled to acclimate back to civilian life.
“Over the last couple of years, it’s been really hard so umm yeah. Now I actually get to go out and start living my life again.”
Maddox tells CBS 8, he has been wanting to help people heal and recover for work now that he’s out of the military, as he’s had to heal and recover from so much, including healing invisible wounds from PTSD and Moral Injury after his service.
“I was close to giving up completely and now this is just like – it’s so overwhelming to know that what I did actually meant something to people.”
Maddox often thinks of those he left behind who are still serving, making it difficult for him to accept that he deserves this gift.
“It’s kind of hard because I got friends who are still working. And I had to stop playing that game. I had to stop doing what I was doing. I got medically retired. There’s men and women putting their lives on the line every single day for us. And I just, I don’t know. I’ll never forget that and I hope our country doesn’t either.”
The Helpful San Diego Honda Dealer Association and Wells Fargo, in collaboration with The Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program says not only does Maddox deserve this brand new car, he’s earned it, especially after sacrificing so much. Jason Moon with the MWSF says Maddox is a hero who they’re happy to help.
“We look at it as – every person we’re able to help, we save lives. And so we look at it as a life saved,” Moon added.
Barbara Johnson works in Marketing for Wells Fargo who shared more about how this gift impacts Maddox.
“Think about it in life. You got a car and you got a house. Those are your two biggest expenses and we’ve just taken one away. He has a payment free vehicle and we’re giving him financial mentoring as well,” Johnson explained.
Maddox’s partner Talia Oren smiled happily watching Chris check out his new car. She was shouldering the bulk of their transportation needs.
“This is basically giving Chris some of independence back. We’ve been mostly relying on me to get back and forth. And I’m happy to help and do it but this is huge for him to feel like he has a way to get around in the world on his own. This is huge,” Oren concluded.