Anyone who enters the US Military is a hero. On a daily basis, soldiers risk their lives for our freedom.
Justin Rollins was no exception to this rule. He fought in the 82nd Airborn Division Paratroopers in Samarra, Iraq. This is Justin’s story.
It starts with his inspiration to go to war…and it ends with a dog flying from a war torn country to a quiet home in New Hampshire.
Please SHARE this heroic story with all of your friends! In the wake of a tragedy, one family got a miracle…and that miracle just happened to have four legs. Thanks to LifeisBetterWithPets for originally sharing this story!
Meet Justin Rollins, a young hero so moved by the tragedy of September 11th, 2001, that he decided to fight for our freedom.
Though Justin looked like a tough soldier on the outside, he had a soft spot. That weakness? His high school sweetheart, Brittney. He planned on proposing when he returned home from Iraq.
On March 4th, Brittney and Justin shared on of their long phone conversations from abroad. Before Justin hung up, he promised to send Brittney some photographs. “I can’t wait for you to see them,” he said.
The very next day, Justin’s mom sensed that something was wrong…very wrong. “It was the weirdest feeling I’ve ever had,” Rhonda remembered. Justin’s dad watched as a black car pulled up the driveway and two United States Officers stepped out. The family was given the news that Justin had been killed in the line of duty…and time stood still not only for Justin’s parents, but for his sweetheart Brittney as well.
Brittney opened her email before Justin’s funeral and found his very last letter…and the photos attached.
Justin had a teeny-tiny pup in the palms of his hands, and they appeared to be best buddies. Of course, Brittney immediately shared these final moments of their beloved Justin with his parents.
Justin’s body had been flown home for burial and soldiers asked Rhonda (Justin’s mom) if there was anything they could do to help ease her pain.
Rhonda didn’t hesistate. “I want one of the puppies that Justin held the night before he was killed.” The soldier laughed and said that was unfortunately a one in a million chance of finding that exact pup. “I want one of the puppies that Justin held,” Rhonda insisted.
A media circus ensued, and as God would have it, this stray dog from Iraq found herself headed home to New Hampshire to be with the family of a fallen soldier who once held her.
One of the main reasons the family wanted so desperately to save the dog from Iraq was to honor Justin. “This,” said Justin’s dad. “Is the last life Justin saved.” They gave the dog a most honorable name: Hero.
ABC’s 20/20 covered a story on the family’s heartwarming reunion between Justin’s family and his beloved puppy pal. Kimberly Launier reported that it gave her chills when this happened:
While the family was talking about how Justin would feel about them getting Hero from Iraq, a beam of sunlight poked through the clouds and shone brightly on where Hero was standing!! “It was an unforgettable moment,” Kimberly wrote, ” And made me wonder if in fact Justin was there.”
Meet Justin Rollins, a young hero so moved by the tragedy of September 11th, 2001, that he decided to fight for our freedom.
Though Justin looked like a tough soldier on the outside, he had a soft spot. That weakness? His high school sweetheart, Brittney. He planned on proposing when he returned home from Iraq.
On March 4th, Brittney and Justin shared on of their long phone conversations from abroad. Before Justin hung up, he promised to send Brittney some photographs. “I can’t wait for you to see them,” he said.
The very next day, Justin’s mom sensed that something was wrong…very wrong. “It was the weirdest feeling I’ve ever had,” Rhonda remembered. Justin’s dad watched as a black car pulled up the driveway and two United States Officers stepped out. The family was given the news that Justin had been killed in the line of duty…and time stood still not only for Justin’s parents, but for his sweetheart Brittney as well.
Brittney opened her email before Justin’s funeral and found his very last letter…and the photos attached.
Justin had a teeny-tiny pup in the palms of his hands, and they appeared to be best buddies. Of course, Brittney immediately shared these final moments of their beloved Justin with his parents.
Justin’s body had been flown home for burial and soldiers asked Rhonda (Justin’s mom) if there was anything they could do to help ease her pain.
Rhonda didn’t hesistate. “I want one of the puppies that Justin held the night before he was killed.” The soldier laughed and said that was unfortunately a one in a million chance of finding that exact pup. “I want one of the puppies that Justin held,” Rhonda insisted.
A media circus ensued, and as God would have it, this stray dog from Iraq found herself headed home to New Hampshire to be with the family of a fallen soldier who once held her.
One of the main reasons the family wanted so desperately to save the dog from Iraq was to honor Justin. “This,” said Justin’s dad. “Is the last life Justin saved.” They gave the dog a most honorable name: Hero.
ABC’s 20/20 covered a story on the family’s heartwarming reunion between Justin’s family and his beloved puppy pal. Kimberly Launier reported that it gave her chills when this happened:
While the family was talking about how Justin would feel about them getting Hero from Iraq, a beam of sunlight poked through the clouds and shone brightly on where Hero was standing!! “It was an unforgettable moment,” Kimberly wrote, ” And made me wonder if in fact Justin was there.”
Please SHARE this touching tribute to Justin with all of your friends!
