JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An American hero who dedicated six years to serving in the Navy now has a custom home in Jacksonville designed to meet his specific needs.
Helping a Hero and several other organizations teamed up to gift the home to retired Navy officer Christopher Bradley.
“I love it,” Bradley said Tuesday at a “Welcome Home” ceremony to honor his service.
Bradley, a Florida native, enlisted in the Navy in August 2003. He suffered severe injuries in 2007 while serving, including a spinal cord injury, a traumatic brain injury and other injuries that significantly impact his mobility.
Helping a Hero is a national charity dedicated to building specially adapted homes for wounded veterans.
The construction of Bradley’s home is a part of the 100 Homes Challenge, which involves Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, pledging to cover 25% of the cost of the nonprofit’s next 100 homes.
Retired veteran J.P. Lane, a former recipient of an adapted home, helped organize Tuesday’s “Welcome Home” event.
“I’ve been honored to receive a home from Helping a Hero a decade ago, and I’ve been living in that adaptive home for this whole time and it’s been amazing,” Lane said.
Lane said he’s thrilled to be passing the torch on to other veterans in need.
Bradley said what his adapted home really offers is freedom.
“That we’re able to live free and be able to get through the house and have a stove and everything that is accessible and a bathroom that is accessible,” Bradley said.
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Christopher Bradley was raised by his grandparents in Crestview, Florida.
In high school, he participated in the marching band, JROTC, and his church youth choir.
Before enlisting, he worked in civil service at Eglin Air Force Base and attended college at night.
While serving, he initially worked as a Ship Serviceman, managing the ship’s barbershop, vending machines, and exchange. Later, he was deployed as a customs officer supporting the army in Iraq.
His service included earning an Army Achievement Medal and a letter of appreciation for his efforts after Hurricane Ivan.
After suffering various injuries, including a spinal cord injury and a traumatic brain injury, Bradley was medically retired in 2009 as a Petty Officer 3rd Class.
The public can nominate other deserving veterans to receive an adapted home by visiting helpingahero.org.