Chattanooga, TN – In a powerful display of service beyond the call of duty, nine members of the Chattanooga Fire Department have joined more than 120 volunteers in constructing a fully accessible, mortgage-free home for a severely wounded combat veteran in Evans, Georgia.
The effort is part of a two-week build organized by *A Soldier’s Journey Home* (ASJH), a volunteer-run nonprofit focused on supporting post-9/11 combat-injured veterans. The recipient is retired Army Sgt. 1st Class David Mathis, who lost both legs in 2017 after an improvised explosive device detonated during one of his multiple tours in Iraq.
Mathis’s new 2,700+ square-foot home is being designed with accessibility at the forefront. It includes widened doorways, roll-in showers, and other adaptive features intended to empower his independence and improve daily life for him and his family.
“Being part of this build is an honor,” said Senior Firefighter Mark Coffman. “It’s our way of giving back to someone who has given so much for our country.”
The Chattanooga firefighters participating in the build are Capt. Tyler Swindell, retired Capt. Chip O’Dell, Lt. Joseph Fuller, Senior Firefighters Britt Bradshaw, Mark Coffman, and Derek Riley, as well as Firefighters Jake Case, Joshua Hixson, and retired Firefighter Adam Cannon.
Founded in the wake of the September 11 attacks, *A Soldier’s Journey Home* grew from a group of New York firefighters who originally supported disaster relief projects. Over time, their mission evolved to address a growing need: building specialized homes for wounded veterans.
“Our roots are in service—answering the call when others are in need,” said ASJH President Brian Fitzpatrick. “We saw the urgent need for accessible homes and made it our mission to give back to veterans who sacrificed so much.”
The build, which runs from May 18 through May 31, represents the culmination of dedication, craftsmanship, and gratitude—uniting firefighters and volunteers from across the country in support of a hero’s journey home.