CLAXTON, Tenn. (WVLT) -- It was supposed to be a bittersweet day for Army Sergeant Jeffrey Denton.

He was getting his truck back.

But he knew he'd need a lot of time and money to fix it up after thieves stole it and stripped it.

Or at least he thought he would.

We told you about Sergeant Denton's stolen truck a few weeks ago and how it was recovered at a chop shop.

The parts taken off it, but not gone.

And today he got a big Christmas present from the east Tennessee community.

No words are needed to describe Sergeant Denton's appreciation.

"Wow, I don't know what to say. Thank y'all so much," says Denton.

Fighting back tears, Denton's father told him it was done thanks to a caring community.

"And we didn't put one single dime into this. Everybody here paid for it, fixed it, and took care of it for you," says Denton's father.

Danny Duncan with Rick's Collision Center says, "We figure he's over there fighting for our country. That's the least we could do since it got stolen while he was in Iraq."

The truck was in pieces when the body shop got it, but businesses and veterans helped with their time, talent, and treasure of money to restore Denton's 1984 Ford F-150 pick up truck.

"They only had the truck for a week here. They're put it completely back together in less than a week," says Denton's mother, Debbie.

"I just want to drive it," says Denton.

Denton is now taking home a truck, but for everyone involved they're taking home the true meaning of Christmas.

"Well, it just makes me feel good that I done something for somebody," says Duncan.

"He was our Christmas present coming home. This was his Christmas present. He couldn't have gotten anything better," says Debbie Denton.

"This is perfect. This is the best Christmas present ever," says Jeffrey Denton.

Sgt. Denton has many reasons to be excited.
Not only does he get to enjoy his new truck and Christmas with his family.

This weekend, his fiance Kelli will become his wife and they're both looking forward to their honeymoon in Florida.