Helping service members and their families once they return home has always been a top priority for the USO and their proud supporters. But what happens if instead of helping with counseling or medical bills, you wanted to give a soldier an experience of a lifetime? Well, that’s exactly what Jay Leno teamed up with the TODAY Show’s “Shine a Light” series to do, and nothing could have prepared the young soldier for just how life-changing the experience was. Check it out on the TODAY Show clip, or the clip above from Leno’s Garage.

Images: The TODAY Show

Corporal Ethan Leberge is just one of the hundreds of wounded soldiers that have served our country through the last several years. Recently, Leno had the opportunity to meet Leberge at his Kentucky Army base after Leberge was brought home following a suicide bomber attack in Afghanistan, which left Leberge severely injured with shrapnel in his arms and legs, as well as a traumatic brain injury that has greatly affected Leberge’s memory.

But while Leberge’s medical treatment is an ongoing process, it was a day filled with fun that the soldier was in for thanks to Leno.

After taking Leberge and some fellow service members to a nearby muscle car collection, Leno surprised Leberge with the opportunity to ride in a brand new Challenger SRT Hellcat. The soldier was also lucky enough to get to drive the car with Leno in the passenger seat.After joyriding a bit and grabbing some lunch, the two returned to the collection where Leno surprised Leberge by handing over the keys to the Hellcat and telling him it was his.

Making sure our service men and women get the best care in the field and back home will always be top priority, but when it comes to brightening a veteran’s day, Leno certainly has a knack for it.

A huge “Thank You” goes out to Leberge and his fellow servicemen and women for their service in the military. We can’t think of another group of individuals more deserving of recognition and a bit of fun than those who’ve served in our armed forces!