Remembering and honoring SPC Justin Rollins ~ NH Hero

Remembering and honoring SPC Justin Rollins who was killed on March 5, 2007 in Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

I remember talking with his mother, Rhonda, later in 2007 and she had said he was due home for his break as he had been in Iraq since August 8, 2006 – that was the last time that she got to see her beautiful and loving son. She told me that Justin gave up his life so that we could have our freedoms. She said how proud she was of him and for being so strong. She said she mourns too for the plans he had of marriage (he planned to propose to his long-time girlfriend, Brittney Murray, during an upcoming leave), having children and living a full life. He was only 22. She said the families lives have changed forever – life will never be the same again. He was vivacious, always fun to be around, and was such a good friend to all.

Justin’s story can’t be told without mention of Hero the puppy that was brought from Iraq to his parents after Justin’s death. The night before Justin died, he found a dog had given birth in the back room of an Iraqi police station. According to his dad, Skip, Justin yelled for his men. They came in with guns drawn and found Justin lying on his back on the floor covered in puppies. We all have been blessed by the story of Hero and Justin’s love for this dog. Skip said that Justin always wanted to focus on the lives he saved, including the stray animals. “Saving lives was more important to him” Skip said. “…he was running around trying to rescue everything. To us, Hero was the last life he ever saved.” He really did believe in what he was fighting for.” Rhonda said of Justin, “I think he’d be thrilled there was a positive story from the negative that happened to us…He was such a happy-go-lucky guy.”

To learn more about Justin visit ~ www.rollinsride.com

Honor and Remember