ABOVE VIDEO:The Burdette family is the inaugural recipient of the Homes for Warriors program which uses federal grant funds to purchase foreclosed homes and refurbish them. The program works in partnership with the Space Coast Paratroopers Association to identify wounded veterans in need of housing and donates the home to the qualifying veteran.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — U.S. Army Sgt. Justin Burdette is scheduled to return home Friday to a hero’s welcome as he and his family close the deal on a new home purchased and renovated through the city’s Homes for Warriors program.
U.S. Army Sgt. Justin Burdette is scheduled to return home Friday to a hero’s welcome as he and his family close the deal on a new home purchased and renovated through the city’s Homes for Warriors program. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
The Burdette family is the inaugural recipient of the program which uses federal grant funds to purchase foreclosed homes and refurbish them.
The program works in partnership with the Space Coast Paratroopers Association to identify wounded veterans in need of housing and donates the home to the qualifying veteran.
Sgt. Burdette of the 3rd Infantry Division, 4th Brigade, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment (4 BDE 3-15 IN, 3rd ID) out of Fort Stewart, Ga. was wounded on June 9, 2013 when he and his 7-member unit were protecting a convoy in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Burdette was critically wounded when a rocket landed near him causing both his legs to be amputated below the knee.
Bob Williams
“This is the very least we can do for our wounded veterans who sacrificed so much for our country,” said Bob Williams who is coordinating the program through the city’s Housing and Neighborhood Development division.
“Sgt. Burdette is our first recipient and we are honored to be able to welcome him and his family home with this gift.”
He is undergoing rehab at Walter Reed Military National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Sgt. Burdette is a 2005 graduate of Palm Bay High School.
In partnership with the Space Coast Paratroopers Association the city’s Hero’s Homecoming will feature a police escorted limousine ride from the title company, where the city will sign the home over to Sgt. Burdette, to the home at 250 Crosspoint Street where a special ceremony and ribbon cutting are scheduled to officially turn the newly renovated home over to the family.
David Isnardi
“This truly is a community effort because we can’t do any of this without the help and support of our local businesses and countless volunteers,” said David Isnardi, vice chairman of the Space Coast Paratroopers Association.
“The city’s mayor and council should be commended for allowing this program to meet the needs of our wounded veterans and allowing us to bring them home with the hero’s welcome they deserve.”
Members of the American Legion Post 117 and other posts from the area will follow the escort and line the route in salute of Sgt. Burdette and his family.
The Burdette family and the motorcade are expected to arrive at the home at approximately 10 a.m. on Friday. The public is encouraged to show support by lining the route between Babcock Street and Eldron Blvd between 9:45 and 10 a.m.
BELOW MAP:In partnership with the Space Coast Paratroopers Association the city’s Hero’s Homecoming will feature a police escorted limousine ride from the title company, where the city will sign the home over to Sgt. Burdette, at 250 Crosspoint Street where a special ceremony and ribbon cutting are scheduled to officially turn the newly renovated home over to the family.
