Window World awards energy-saving home makeover

It’s been an emotional week for La Verne Moss, who learned last Tuesday she won an energy-saving home renovation courtesy of Window World of Rockford.

“I think I’ve cried more in the last three days than I have since our mother passed,” said Moss before letting out a big sigh.

Scott Williamson owns Window World of Rockford. He’s a Gulf War combat veteran himself, and he had a tough time choosing a winner from the hundreds of applications he received.

“In the end we chose a veteran, La Verne Moss, because not only did she serve 20-plus years in the Navy, but she has continually given back to the local vets for decades in the Rockford community,” Williamson said.

Whether it’s volunteering at the Veteran’s Drop-In Center or sending Girl Scout cookies to troops overseas, Moss wants to make sure the veterans and active servicemembers get the support they need.

“They need it. We all need it,” she said. “It’s more for us sometimes than for them. You can’t do everything but they’re good people. It’s family. They’re family. When you’ve been with someone for 20 years, I don’t care what branch or when it was, your family is always there. If I need anything, I know I can always call on my battle buddies for anything.”

Moss bought the house in the southern part of Rockford for her parents in 1978 and now lives there herself. She’ll be getting brand new energy-efficient siding and windows, just a little token of appreciation for someone who’s done so much for her country and community.

“I’m overwhelmed but I’m very happy,” Moss said. “I thank everybody for coming out here and supporting me. Don’t make me start [to cry again].”

But she couldn’t stop herself from tearing up one more time, with her friends and supporters there to comfort her and tell her she deserves it for all she’s done for other people throughout her life.