CCS resident John Bardis recalls an encounter that would eventually lead to the creation of Hire Heroes USA, now one of the nation's leading veteran employment organizations.

In 2001, he arrived at the Wardman Park Marriott in Washington, D.C., for a healthcare meeting. The hotel is just down the street from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where many wounded service members receive treatment.  

Walking in, John noticed a young man sitting alone on a bench near the entrance. He was missing a leg and did not look well. “I said, Hey man, are you all right?”  Bardis recalls. The man replied, 'I'm looking for my dad.'"

The young man was Army veteran Justin Callahan, who had recently returned from Afghanistan, and in fact, John did know his dad. Callahan explained that he had served with the 10th Mountain Division and had stepped on a landmine just weeks earlier. The explosion had severely injured him, ultimately costing him his leg. Bardis sat down beside him, and what began as a brief conversation turned into more than two hours of him listening.

Bardis grew up surrounded by stories of military service, sacrifice, and perseverance. His grandfather, Anthony Bardis, served in World War I even before he was an American citizen. Serving under General John J. Pershing, he fought in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, the first major offensive led by American forces.

During the war, Anthony was severely wounded and initially believed to have been killed in action. It turns out he actually fell into deep mud after being struck. The mud packed his wounds and saved his life. Days later, he somehow made his way back to Allied lines.

For his service and sacrifice, Anthony Bardis earned U.S. citizenship and later became one of the most influential people in Bardis's life.

"He was my best friend," John says.

He lived to be 96 years old, and Bardis spent countless hours with him growing up. He remembers helping him read bank statements and listening to stories about life, hard work, and service.

Following in his Grandfathers footsteps, John's father served under General George Patton during World War II and fought in some of the war's fiercest battles, including the Battle of the Bulge. 

As a young man, Bardis witnessed firsthand the lasting effects of war on his father. Like many veterans of his generation, he carried the emotional effects of combat long after returning home. Those experiences helped shape his understanding of the challenges veterans face long after their military service has ended.

So when Bardis sat beside Justin Callahan outside Walter Reed, he understood more than enough to listen and began a journey to want to do more.

The next day, John visited Walter Reed and saw firsthand what modern battlefield medicine was making possible. Service members who might not have survived previous wars were now returning home with life-changing injuries.

One image remains vivid in his memory.  A young father from Michigan who had lost both legs and an arm was working through rehabilitation while his wife and children encouraged him from the sidelines."I said to myself, 'We've got to do something for these guys,'" Bardis says.

Determined to help, John began what would eventually become Hire Heroes, with his wife Judy committed to his efforts.

For Judy, the mission was deeply personal as well.

Her father, Forrest Tozer, served in the Marine Corps during World War II and Korea under the legendary Marine Corps officer Lewis "Chesty" Puller. During the Korean War, Tozer fought in the Chosin Reservoir campaign, where Marines battled overwhelming Chinese forces while helping recover isolated personnel and equipment during one of the most difficult operations of the war.

Judy experienced both her father's resilience and the lasting effects of military service. Her grandfather also served during both World War I and World War II, reinforcing a family tradition of service that stretched across generations.

Collectively, John, Judy, and their families shared a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans and were all willing to help at the start. Over the years, they have met countless veterans whose stories reinforced that commitment.

Among them was Marine veteran Oscar Canon, who had been severely wounded during the Battle of Fallujah. Cannon eventually moved to Atlanta and lived with the Bardis family while recovering. His injuries required 78 reconstructive surgeries.

While many founders might highlight their own accomplishments, John repeatedly returned to the people who helped transform a simple idea into a national organization.

One of the most influential people in the organization's growth was former Marine Corps officer Brian Stann, a Naval Academy graduate and Silver Star recipient. The Silver Star is the nation's third-highest award for valor in combat.

During intense fighting in Iraq, Stann earned the honor for extraordinary heroism while leading his Marines under heavy enemy fire. Bardis recalls Stann describing that they were surrounded. He positioned the tanks in a square, commanded the troops to crawl under the armored vehicles to protect them, and then ordered an F-16 air strike on his unit. This brilliant maneuver saved his troops and defeated the enemy.  

When Bardis recruited Stann to lead Hire Heroes USA, he found someone who understood both military service and extraordinary leadership. “He's the guy that built Hire Heroes to be what it is today," John says.

Bardis is quick to note that the success of Hire Heroes USA was never the work of one person. He credits veterans such as Justin Callahan, Oscar Cannon, Brian Stann, Nate Smith, and many others with helping build something far greater than he ever imagined."

John and Judy have opened their home to wounded veterans, supported and continue to support military families, and remain committed to helping others navigate the difficult transition from military service to civilian life.

Today, Hire Heroes has helped secure more than 117,000 confirmed hires for veterans. The organization provides career coaching, résumé assistance, interview preparation, and job search support designed to help service members successfully transition into civilian careers.

"All along the way, different people show up," Bardis says. "Out of the blue. Like left field. They showed up, and they started doing all of this."

For Bardis, the success of Hire Heroes is not measured simply by numbers but by the willingness of people to help one another.