A Brookwood High School graduate injured in Afghanistan received a special surprise visit from President Barack Obama.
Justin Lansford, a former football player at Brookwood High, lost his left leg and severely injured his right leg in an explosion in Afghanistan back in April.
On Wednesday, Justin made his first trip outside of Walter Reed Hospital to see the fireworks from the House of Representatives balcony at the U.S. Capitol.
"It was a long day for him. He was very tied at the end of the day but it was nice they finally got out," said Mike Basak, Justin's uncle.
But it was a surprise knock on the door last week that was even more special.
"All the sudden you hear ‘Hellooo Justin.' My cousin's like,"Helloooo Mr. President,' and everybody just chuckles. He was always the goofball," said Amanda Basak.
A picture of an impromptu Fourth of July parade shows that the 22-year-old hasn't lost his sense of humor.
"I don't think we've ever seen Justin without a smile, even through the hard times, even with the pain that he endured," Mike Basak.
Along with that surprise visit from President Obama, Lansford has been visited in recent weeks by the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves.
"It means a lot of for him. He did this to fight for our country and that's what he's doing. It's a nice respect that people are coming in and seeing him," said Mike Basak.
"Having someone there like the president come to visit saying. ‘Thank you for what you're doing.' That extra support probably helps him push through and get better," said Amanda Basak.
There were pictures taken of Lansford's meeting with the president, but they were taken by the official White House photographer so it will be a few weeks before the family gets them.
Justin could be at Walter Reed for about the next year, although it's looking like he will take the big step of moving to the hospital's rehab facility in the next month.
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Justin Lansford made his first trip outside of Walter Reed Hospital to see the fireworks from the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol.
