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71-year-old whose home was destroyed by tornado gets 'Extreme Makeover'

A General Mills retiree and his family were among seven fortunate Joplin, Mo., families who stood in the street this month and shouted “Move that bus,” the command to reveal their new homes, courtesy of  the ABC-TV program “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

Thang Nguyen punches the air with delight as he and his wife, Tiffany; walk in front of the family's new home.

Thang Nguyen, who worked as a packaging operator at the General Mills Joplin plant, was chosen by ABC to receive a new house for the 200th episode of the popular program, along with six other Joplin families whose homes were damaged by the May 22 tornado in Joplin.

Nguyen, 71, was closing in on 15 years at the plant, but after the devastating twister destroyed his house he decided to retire, facing an uncertain search for a new home.

Seafood craving might have saved lives
Nguyen was at home with his wife, Tiffany, the night the deadly storm hit. She had prepared dinner, but he told her to set it aside because he was craving seafood. They left for a restaurant.

That craving may have saved their lives.

When the tornado roared over Joplin, tearing its heartbreaking and deadly route from west to east through the heart of the city, Nguyen and his wife were safe at the restaurant - it wasn't in the tornado’s path.

But their home was among the thousands in Joplin hit hard.

For most of the past five months, the Nguyens - along with Tiffany's daughter, Sara, and their granddaughter, Alex – have been living in an apartment, paying for it with insurance, waiting to rebuild.

No doubt, their selection by ABC to receive a new home for the “Extreme Makeover” program puts to rest the Nguyen’s stress about their housing situation.

Thang Nguyen's finished home.

General Mills employees volunteer
Over the past week, at least 30 Joplin General Mills employees have volunteered at the “Extreme Makeover” construction sites around the clock, picking up debris and helping with other tasks inside and outside the seven new houses.

Nguyen, who turned 71 last week while on a trip to Disney World, courtesy of ABC, moved to the U.S. after serving in the Vietnamese Air Force. He fought alongside U.S. troops during the Vietnam War.

The Joplin episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” airs this January.