Saturday Mar. 14th, 2026
6:00 PM CDT
UWF Main Campus
Bldg 22 – Upstairs Conference Center
11000 University Pkwy,
Pensacola, FL 32514
General Admission is FREE and Open to the Public!
Come join us in welcoming home a veteran injured in Iran
Cantonment veteran Hunter Girdner, who was seriously injured during Operation Epic Fury while working as a contractor, will be welcomed home Saturday evening at the University of West Florida. Florida State Representative Michelle Salzman and Lt. Governor Jay Collins are asking the Pensacola community to line the streets and gather at the UWF Conference Center to welcome Hunter home.
During this deployment, his team was located in a targeted area and was attacked. While relocating, Hunter noticed one of his squadmates was left behind. As he ran back to rescue his teammate, he was hit by shrapnel and critically wounded.
He underwent several operations, including the removal of a kidney, spleen repair, and more at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
“He is heading back home now and I am asking for YOU to spread the word and come line the streets, fill the room and simply share a prayer as we welcome him back to Northwest Florida,” Rep. Michelle Salzman said.
The team at the VetCV Mission Next Center will be in attendance and encourages you to join us. Let’s make sure Hunter knows that his community supports him in his recovery. We will be joined by Rep. Salzman, Lt. Governor Collins, Sen. Don Gaetz, Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, and others to welcome him home along with prayer from U.S. Marine Corps League Chaplain and VetCV Mission Next Patriot Navigator Tim Chandler.
The welcome home event will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday in the UWF Conference Center (Building 22).
We at VetCV thank you for trusting us to continue to do our part in supporting our Nation’s active military, Veterans, and their families.
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