Florida Combat Wounded Veteran Gets Community Support

Wounded soldier's surprise: New spot to call home
FLORIDA TODAY
R. Norman Moody
June 10, 2014

PALM BAY – Doug Fuller was in the store picking up paint for another job when he overheard talk about work on a house for a wounded soldier.

He introduced himself and immediately volunteered to paint the house.

"It sounded like a good cause," Fuller said. "These young men and women are literally risking their lives and their limbs for their country."

The house was purchased by Palm Bay Housing and Neighborhood Development Services and is being presented to Army Sgt. Justin Burdette, who lost both legs below the knee June 9, 2013 in an explosion while on patrol in the mountains in Afghanistan.

Burdette, a 2005 graduate of Palm Bay High, remains at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where he has been fitted with prosthetic legs and continues therapy.

Workers are modifying the home to fit Burdette's needs.The house is expected to be finished and ready for the family by the end of July.

"It was a big surprise to us," Burdette's wife, Beth Burdette said. "It's kind of overwhelming. It's a relief because we won't have to adapt a house. We'll have our own place."
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