By Ken Gaidziunas

Staff Writer

Patriot Drive in Melissa’s Liberty subdivision was lined with flags on the morning of Jan. 19 honoring Sgt. Justin Feagin. The occasion was a ceremony presenting Sgt. Feagin and his family a key to their new home and a big welcome on behalf of everyone in the community.

Sgt. Feagin, a Collin County native, was a member of the highly decorated Rakkasans, 13th Brigade of the 101st “Screaming Eagles” Airborne Division and was initially deployed to Iraq for 13 months.

Afterward, he was deployed to Afghanistan and was wounded in 2010 while serving as the head of an Afghanistan Border patrol unit. He was hit with an IED that cost him his left foot, a ruptured ear drum, several broken bones and numerous deep shrapnel lacerations, including one to his femoral artery.

Sgt. Feagin has been awarded more than 16 medals and accommodations, including the Purple Heart. A five-year veteran, he was stationed in San Antonio and will retire from the military at the end of the month.

The home for Sgt. Feagin, his wife Kayla and 3-year-old son Tyler was provided debt-free by the Texas Sentinels Foundation and was built by Highland Homes on a lot provided by Hillwood Development Corporation.

The large crowd of well wishers included Melissa City and Collin County officials, Texas Sentinels executives, Melissa Chamber of Commerce members, key sponsors and donors of the building project, a contingency of veterans, Highland Homes and Hillwood representatives as well as area residents.

In his opening remarks Melissa Area Chamber of Commerce President Scott Driscoll said “We welcome Sgt. Feagin and his family to the community. God bless them and their home.”

“We appreciate you and what you have done far beyond what this home represents,” said Melissa Mayor Reed Greer while presenting Sgt. Feagin with a Key to the City.

Sgt. Feagin, voice choked with emotion, thanked everyone for everything that has been done for him and his family.

Texas Sentinels Foundation, a non-profit organization, with the help of generous donors and community partnerships, builds debt-free homes for wounded veterans across the state. The Feagin home was the fifth home built so far and a sixth home will soon be started in the Houston area.