A local Father is fighting for soldiers to get the same tax credits as other Americans.  Jerry Kavanaugh of Kaukauna is behind the push for legislation and is being honored for helping his son and other military members. "If anybody should deserve any of this at all, it should be our veterans."

Jerry and his wife Mary contacted Representative Steve Kagen (D) when they realized their son David would miss-out on the first-time home buyer's tax credit by the time he returns from duty in Iraq. They pushed to have the deadline extended and on Tuesday they received a commemorative copy of the congressional act they helped inspire. "If anybody should deserve any of this at all, it should be our veterans." Kavanaugh said after the presentation. "It's a good feeling to know that you made a telephone call and you got some action."

Now, when military members come back to the United States they're eligible for the eight-thousand dollar tax credit to buy their first home and according to Pat Kaster of the Realtors Association, that's not all. "If they stay in the house over three years, normally it has to be paid back. Veterans will not have to pay that back." Kaster said.

"It's a two-fold thing. It's going to help everyone who wasn't going to qualify for the program, and it's also going to help the economy and maybe sell some houses." Kavanaugh told us. And Jerry says his son couldn't be prouder of him for fighting for the American Dream. "Dave is very happy. Very happy. And a lot of people over with him are very happy too.

350-thousand U.S. military members will be eligible for the credit under the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act."