Local military family gets surprise of a lifetime from Carrie Underwood

WASHINGTON - One local military family got the surprise of a lifetime from country superstar Carrie Underwood.

Underwood met the Vaughn family before her show at the Verizon Center in Washington and surprised them with a trip to New York in November for a private concert portside aboard Carnival's newest cruise ship, the Carnival Vista.

This meet and greet is part of a partnership launched earlier this year by Carnival, Carrie and Operation Homefront -- the Honor. Family. Fun. program, which is designed to raise awareness and funds for military families that do so much for us.

Along Underwood's tour, Carnival Cruise Line is facilitating 10 meet and greets across the country with Carrie and Operation Homefront families.

Phillip Vaughn has deployed three times during his active service, once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. He served for over 12 years and is a purple heart recipient.

As a wounded warrior, Phillip has been at Walter Reed Hospital since June 2, 2013 and is scheduled to medically retire on April 13, 2016. While at Walter Reed, Phillip has been continuing his education and attends college part-time online; as well as interning with the DIA, which could lead to a full-time position.

He currently resides at the Operation Homefront Village in Gaithersburg with his wife Jung and two children, Tara, 8, and Jeremy, 5.