Bilirakis Honors Sacrifice of Local Gold Star Family with Bill to Rename Post Office in Brooksville

Washington, DC:  On July 24, 2009, during his first tour of duty with the 10^th Mountain, 32nd Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army, SPC Justin Dean Coleman of Hernando County, Florida was killed in action while patrolling a residential area of Nuristan Province in Afghanistan.  He was only 21 years old.  Just like his father, grandfather, great grandfather and eight uncles, Coleman was called to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.  What was originally planned as a 96-hour mission to retake Barge Matal from the Taliban, SPC Coleman’s mission in Nuristan Province had turned into a 60-day mission.  His platoon conducted patrols of a local village, going from house to house checking for Taliban combatants. During the patrol, SPC Coleman provided security outside one of the houses and received direct fire from an enemy combatant, fatally wounding him in a matter of seconds.   By drawing enemy fire away from his platoon, SPC Coleman’s actions allowed his comrades time to take cover, locate the enemy, and successfully counterattack. Because of SPC Coleman’s sacrifice, no other soldiers died that day. A true hero, Coleman made the ultimate sacrifice, earned the Bronze Star, and will forever be remembered for his bravery.  He is survived by his father Dean A. Coleman and stepmother Pepper Coleman.  In honor of SPC Coleman’s service and tremendous sacrifice, Congressman Gus Bilirakis has filed legislation to rename the United States Post Office located at 207E. Fort Dade Avenue, Brooksville, FL  34601 as the “Specialist Justin Dean Coleman Memorial Post Office.”

“I am proud to help honor this soldier and his Gold Star family with this legislation,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis.  “SPC Coleman served our great nation with valor and fortitude. It is clearly fitting to designate his hometown post office in Brooksville, Florida in his honor.  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Florida Congressional Delegation to expedite passage of this important legislation.”