Pasco Reporter

Earlier this week, the House passed a bill authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis and co-sponsored by every member of Florida’s Congressional Delegation. The bill proposes renaming the United States Post Office located at 207 E. Fort Dade Avenue, Brooksville, FL 34601 as the “Specialist Justin Dean Coleman Memorial Post Office.”

On July 24, 2009, during his first tour of duty with the 10th 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. Following a family tradition of military service that included his father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and eight uncles, Coleman joined the U.S. Armed Forces.

What began as a planned 96-hour mission to retake Barge Matal from the Taliban turned into a 60-day mission for SPC Coleman’s platoon in Nuristan Province. During patrols of a local village, Coleman provided security outside one house and received direct fire from an enemy combatant, fatally wounding him within seconds. His actions drew enemy fire away from his platoon members, allowing them time to take cover and successfully counterattack without further casualties.

SPC Coleman's sacrifice earned him the Bronze Star and he is remembered for his bravery. He is survived by his father Dean A. Coleman and stepmother Pepper Coleman.

“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 now ask my Senate colleagues to expedite passage of this important legislation so that it may become law.”

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