Event Location: University of West Florida: Conference Center – Pensacola, Florida
Story & Photography by: Danica Bardin
Event Date: 03/14/2026
On March 14, hundreds of community members of all ages — along with first responders, political leaders, and local supporters — gathered at the University of West Florida’s Conference Center to welcome home Cantonment native and U.S. Army veteran Hunter Girdner.
Girdner, who medically retired after six years of service, was working as a defense contractor in Iran when he was critically injured during Operation Epic Fury. He was wounded while attempting to rescue one of his contract crew members, John Gabrysiak.
Enemy fire struck Girdner, the five-person crew’s team leader, leaving him with severe injuries. His treatment required the removal of a kidney, reconstruction of his spleen, repair of his liver, and 34 staples in his stomach. Shrapnel from the blast remains permanently lodged in his abdomen.
Less than three days after arriving in Pensacola from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Girdner was greeted by the patriotic crowd dressed in red, white, and blue. Attendees stood applauding, cheering, waving American flags, and holding “Welcome Home” signs after a 100-vehicle convoy escorted Girdner, his family, Gabrysiak, and others to the venue.
“When courage calls, heroes answer,” said Michelle Salzman, a Florida state representative and U.S. Army veteran who organized and opened the homecoming ceremony.
The event began with the national anthem performed by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Alex Petrus. Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Jamie Wells then led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer from retired U.S. Marine Corps chaplain Timothy Chandler.
Special remarks were delivered by Escambia County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger, Lt. Gov. and U.S. Army Special Forces veteran Jay Collins, and Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. During the ceremony, Simmons presented Girdner with the Sheriff’s Medal Award in recognition of his heroic actions.
Girdner said the experience still feels surreal and that he has not fully processed everything that happened. Despite the injuries he endured, he said he would not hesitate to act again. “I’d do it over and over again,” he said.
