Injured soldier welcomed home

MONROEVILLE, Ala. (WALA) - A local soldier is back home, for the first time since he was wounded overseas.  Family, friends, and the community turned out Saturday to give Army Specialist Eric Hunter a hero's welcome.

Close to 200 people gathered at the Monroe County Airport to welcome home the local hero.

It's been a few months since David and Darlene Black have seen their son Eric Hunter.  The parents received devastating news when their son was severely injured May 31 while serving in Afghanistan.

"He was on patrol in Afghanistan and he stepped on an IED.  Lost his right leg, his left leg is severely damaged he had broken arm and wrist,  the left leg is still a big problem, but he's working through it.  He's managed to take a few steps so we're proud of that," David Black said.

Hunter arrived to cheers and hugs around 3:30 p.m. He has been through more than 50 surgeries since his injury.  He was even back in surgery this week.

"We almost didn't get out of there. I had to have surgery two days ago, and it was work on my wife Kenna getting us back here, but she actually pulled it off, and we get to spend time with family and I'm really excited," Hunter said.

Hunter knew his family would be here to welcome him, but he had no idea so many people would turn out.

"It's awesome. This was a big surprise and it's great," he said.

The Hero's Homecoming also included a welcome home ceremony, and a Victory Procession to the downtown square in Monroeville. Other family members are also happy to see Hunter back home.

"I told him on the way up here how amazing all this is and to know all this is for my cousin. I'm really excited for him," Marcy Riley said.

"I'm going to tell him I love him and I miss him, and like I just really miss him.  Nobody knows how much I miss him," Christopher Powell said.

"It's awesome.  It's been wonderful people have been so supportive, just anything they can do, and it's all about him," David Black said.

Hunter will return to Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland in three weeks to continue his long road to recovery.