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Bronze Star Veteran surprised with news of a mortgage-free home in Crestview

Retired Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Day, a Bronze Star recipient who lost his leg in an IED blast in Afghanistan, was surprised with news on Saturday that he was chosen as the next recipient of a mortgage-free home from Building Homes for Heroes. The 30-year-old Day joined the Air Force in 2014 and served […]

Retired Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Day, a Bronze Star recipient who lost his leg in an IED blast in Afghanistan, was surprised with news on Saturday that he was chosen as the next recipient of a mortgage-free home from Building Homes for Heroes.

  • Day was attending a fundraiser hosted by the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors when it was revealed that he would receive a brand new home. 

The 30-year-old Day joined the Air Force in 2014 and served for six years as a combat controller, attached to Army Special Forces and Navy SEAL teams. His role was to direct airstrikes during missions.

In July 2018, while attached to an Army Special Forces team fighting ISIS militants in eastern Afghanistan, Day stepped on a pressure plate IED as he exited a building during a compound clearance. The blast blew off his right foot and severely injured his leg, which later required amputation above the knee.

  • Day also suffered severe injuries to both hands, losing several fingers, as well as burns and a traumatic brain injury. Despite his wounds, he retained active duty status for two more years before being medically discharged in 2020.

For his service, Day earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Action Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Outstanding Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal and many others.

Day now lives in Crestview with his two young sons, and is also where his new home will be built by Ferrin Campbell Construction.

  • “It’s an honor to be a part of such a worthy cause, and we love to give back to our veterans,” said Ferrin Campbell III. “We are very excited for Justin and his family!”
(left) Mandy Campbell, Justin Day and Ferrin Campbell (right)

Saturday’s fundraiser at Fort Walton Beach Bowl was hosted by the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors. Since 2015, the organization has raised over $100,000 for Building Homes for Heroes.

Air Force Capt. Nathan Nelson, another wounded warrior who received a home through the program, also attended. Nelson was paralyzed in a rocket attack in Afghanistan and received a mortgage-free home in Santa Rosa Beach in 2017.

  • Building Homes for Heroes has gifted over 345 specially adapted homes to injured veterans nationwide since its founding in 2006.

Moving forward, ECAR’s Building Homes for Heroes Task Force is working hard to get the survey complete and get closer to breaking ground. According to Chrissy Hartley, ECAR’s Building Homes for Heroes Task Force Chair, Day and his family will be in attendance  for the groundbreaking where he will get the chance to turn the first dirt.

3 Responses

  1. God bless brother! You and your sons enjoy your new home, you more than deserve it. Thank you and everyone for serving our country

  2. I was there on Saturday, with many of my Coldwell Banker friends as he learned that he was getting the house built. Not a dry eye in the place. Our comminity loves our service members and we are so honored to be able to be a part of this young man’s story.

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Community Comments

“Why not fix the dog parks adjacent to red lobster?”
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“They spend 3.75 MILLION dollars of tax payer money and don't know what they are going to do with the property? If your child came in your home and said...”
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“If Walton County was not so greedy and decided to “TAKE” what they wanted instead of “buying” it like other areas (Destin/Okaloosa County)have, this might have never been a problem....”
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“I remember both Kathy & Lee from their work with the church youth program. Despite being a Catholic "yankee" visiting each summer I have never found a more welcoming place...”
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“Hey Lee. I am so glad Danny sent this article to all the Szarowicz siblings! Congratulations on an amazing career!!! Wish I had been there to witness it. I remember...”
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“Congratulations, Lee, and the very best wishes to you and Cathy during your retirement years. A heartfelt thank you on behalf of my Bolton family for your attention and care....”
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“There is no public parking…note from article, “The beach bar is accessible only to Sandpiper Cove residents and guests, along with people walking up from the beach.” Walk in from...”
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“This should NOT BE ALLOWED in single family residential neighborhoods.”
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“It's amazing that the State of Florida can come up with money to purchase 2483 acres for a new park. But Caladesi Island State Park, Cayo Costa State Park and...”
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“What a beautiful story of past, present, and future. Lee, you have left an amazing legacy. These words from Matthew 25:21 are fitting for you, ‘Well done, good and faithful...”
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