Homecoming fit for a hero: Hundreds turn out for marine who lost three limbs in Afghanistan… and they even named a day after him
Homecoming fit for a hero: Hundreds turn out for marine who lost three limbs in Afghanistan… and they even named a day after him
They lined the streets, waved stars and stripes flags and burst into tears at the homecoming of a hero.
Hundreds of well-wishers turned out for brave 20-year-old Marine Corporal Todd Love who lost both legs and an arm in an Afghanistan explosion.
The crowd cheered as he was lifted into his wheelchair by his brother and hugged by his family at Georgia’s McCollum airport in Cobb County.
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Brave: Marine corporal Todd Love celebrates with the crowd in his home town of Acworth, Georgia, and pictured in full dress uniform
Encouragement: Marine Todd Love learns how to walk again after losing both his legs and left arm in the explosion in Afghanistan
Then a motorcade of cars and more than 250 motorcyclists from several groups, including Warrior Watch Riders and the American Legion Post 111, whisked him to his home town of Acworth.
There 300 more friends and supporters clapped as the corporal from the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, B Company, which is stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, was honoured.
It was the first time he had been home since he was severely wounded while on foot patrol in Sanguin district five months ago on October 25.
His parents, brother and grandmother were at Dallas Landing Park on Saturday as Mayor Tommy Allegood proclaimed April 9 as Todd Love Day.
When he arrived at McCollum on a courtesy Angel Flight plane, the third generation Marine was stunned and touched by the reception.
Poster boy: Welcome sign at McCollum with pictures of Marine Todd in his dress uniform and full battle gear
Joking: Todd back home in Acworth where 300 supporters came to celebrate his homecoming
He said ‘‘I don’t know what to say right now.Thank you so much. It’s nice to be home. I love y’all.’
At Dallas Park, Love even joked about his injury. He said: ‘I was up front with the minesweepers searching for explosives and I found them. I guess that’s the easiest way to put it.
‘I’m still the same man.I was a boy when I left, but now I’m man. I haven’t lost anything in my eyes.’
Told a lot of people wanted to thank him for serving his country and his sacrifice, Love paused before saying: ‘I was just doing my job.
‘I think there are a lot of people out there [who] make a lot of effort every day and they don’t get recognized.’
His family says nothing compares to having him back, and they are very proud of him.
Proud: Grandmother Susanne Romines and Todd’s father Gary who said: ‘It’s a blessing he came home’
‘He’s my hero, he’s always been, and will always be,’ said Susanne Romines, Love’s grandmother. ‘I brag about him all the time.’
His father Gary said: ‘My son coming home with no legs, to me it’s a blessing he came home.
‘He’s a very strong-willed person. It just catches me sometimes. He’s an amazing kid and a devoted Christian. This is what keeps him from really falling apart.’
His tearful mother,Tammy Cox, from Douglasville, said she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
‘I’m happy to have him home. That his family’s going to finally get to hug him and tell him that they love him and all these beautiful people here, I’m humbled.
‘He’d never imagine this, not in a million years.’
Support: Marines in their full dress uniforms listen as Todd addresses the crowd and jokes about his injuries
Many students and former graduates from his high schools – Kel and North Cobb – attended the homecoming.
Tearful: Todd’s mother Tammy who said she was ‘humbled’ by the hundreds who turned up
They were joined by the Canton Police department, the Marine Corps League in Woodstock and the Wounded Warriors Project.
Richard Mellick, a 20-year Navy veteran and a member of the American Legion Post 111, came to show his support.
He told the Cherokee County News: ‘This is where it all start, in the community. It takes a whole community to show our love and appreciation.’
Jan Touchstone of Kennesaw and one-time military wife, said: ‘My son is in the Army. This is close to my heart. These guys need our support.’
Love and his family are looking forward to spending time together and celebrating his 21st birthday on April 30.
Since the incident, Love has been recovering at the National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He’s been in outpatient rehabilitation and helped by his brother Brandon.
An extreme sports enthusiast, Love has gone skiing in Pennsylvania and Colorado three times since losing his legs, using adapted skis.
He will return to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, in a month, and spend at least another 18 months there working on his rehabilitation.
Love said:’I just want to see some old friends and family. I’m the kind of person who lives day by day.’
Rehabilitation: Marine Todd says:’ I haven’t lost anything in my eyes. I am still the same man’
