LTC (R) Justin F. Blum

2011 Tony Snow Public Service Award Recipient  

The words “I can’t” are just not part of Justin Blum’s vocabulary. When Justin received a permanent ostomy at the age of 40 there was no doubt in his mind that he would be able to return to a full and meaningful life.

The words "I can´t" are just not part of Justin Blum´s vocabulary. When Justin, now retired from the Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, received a permanent ostomy at the age of 40 following a 21-year battle with ulcerative colitis and a diagnosis of early stage colon cancer, there was no doubt in his mind that he would be able to return to a full and meaningful life.

Justin recognizes that the continual support from his wife of 27 years, Leah, as well as the lessons he learned from the Army, gave him the drive, resilience and strength to tackle the mental and physical challenges associated with having an ostomy. In fact, approximately three months after his surgery, Justin was on his way to making Army height and weight standards and passing the Army Physical Fitness Test by walking 9 miles a day.

"I have never given up on anything," says Justin. "The best advice I have given to those I work with is that they are in a position to accomplish anything. They can set an example for all to emulate by making a difference in the lives of others who do not yet share their drive."

Though Justin is no longer on active duty, he has been in uniform for more than 40 years, serving the past 15 years as the Senior Army Instructor of the Marlboro County High School Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Program in Bennettsville, SC. Additionally, he instructs JROTC at the South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy, commands battalions of soldiers in the South Carolina State Guard for Homeland Security and develops community collaborative partnerships for the United States Army Cadet Command.

Justin also works with teens in his school´s special education program and in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning community, and educates at-risk youth on pregnancy prevention and the importance of staying in school. By sharing his experience as an ostomate, he is able to illustrate to his young audience that it is possible to overcome difficult challenges.

"If all I did was teach, it wouldn´t be enough," says Justin. "It is important to me to set an example and provide the best opportunities possible for my students."

Justin is a board member of the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault and an active member of the South Carolina State Department of Education Character Development Partnership and State Schools of Character Board. His many charitable pursuits also include grant writing for charities, serving as public relations liaison for the American Red Cross and Marlboro County Cancer Relay for Life, and volunteering for a colon cancer awareness program. In 2002, Justin conducted a briefing in the Senate on youth led voter registration activities in South Carolina.

In his personal life, Justin is just as dedicated. A father of three - Ryan, Adam and Julianna - Justin spent his spare time coaching soccer and leading the local cub scout/ boy scouts, going on camping trips, participating in jamborees, teaching citizenship merit badge classes and mentoring scouts to the rank of Eagle.

For his continued service to others, Justin has been recognized with several awards including: The Commander's Award for Public Service from the 4th Brigade, United States Army Cadet Command (2011), the South Carolina State Board of Education Volunteer Award (2010), the National Army JROTC Instructor of the Year Award (2003), and four national character education Promising Practice awards from the Washington, DC-based Character Education Partnership.

Justin, now 58, lives in Florence, SC with his family and enjoys daily exercising and collecting Roman and Greek Ancient coins and old books. On top of his two Master´s degrees in Public Administration and Counseling (with a third underway), he hopes to one day earn a doctorate of philosophy in counseling or leadership so he can formally work with the Veterans Administration as a mental health counselor.