Navy veteran gifted new car in nationwide give away

EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) — Thursday morning marked a life-changing moment for one local veteran in need. Just ahead of Veterans Day, he was handed the keys to a brand-new car.

“I love it,” Morteza Khosravi said after he started up his new van.

Khosravi’s smile was brighter than the sun in the blue sky on Thursday morning and rightfully so. The Navy veteran was ready to roll in his brand-new set of wheels.

"I am extremely excited,” he said. “This is a life-changing event.”

The Edmond resident got it thanks to Progressive Insurance’s Keys to Progress Program. This was a nationwide giveaway in its 13th year, where veterans applied and were selected. Over 100 vehicles were given away across the country on Thursday.

"To see his smile and hear him say how it's going to change his life, it's very rewarding and it's something I'm probably going to carry with me throughout the rest of the year,” Progressive Claims Supervisor Keesha West said.

Khosravi served 4 years traveling the high seas, but he was medically discharged in 2008 after suffering spinal injuries resulting in severe disabilities. He said he’s thankful for his new car because his old one wasn’t cutting it.

"It was not appropriate to add any type of lift in order to carry my accessories,” he said.

This one will be able to hold his wheelchair and more. It’s an exciting moment for the former aviation mechanic who jumped on FaceTime to show his family. After years of taking care of our country, others rightfully are taking care of him.

"I'm getting this beautiful vehicle now, which is going to change my life for good,” he said.

Thanks to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the new van will come with 6 months' worth of insurance. Another organization donated a 12-month protection plan as well.