Marine injured by IED welcomed home

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Friday was a day for celebration in Pensacola. Over a thousand people turned out to welcome back a hometown hero.

It was truly a hero’s welcome as Marine Lance Corporal, Daniel Palmer and his family stepped off their plane today at Pensacola Aviation Center.

Over a thousand strong, politicians, Patriot Guardsmen, fellow Marines and everyday citizens cheered for their hometown hero.

Palmer grew up in Allentown but lost part of his right leg thousands of miles away in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan. He’s spent the last two years in a personal battle to rehabilitate and today marks the beginning of a new journey.

“Been away for four years. (I’ve) been away from family, you know, finally got the family,” Palmer said. “We’ve got her family. My kids finally have nieces and nephews they can play with, and I think it’s going to be good. It’s going to be real good.”

Florida Congressman Jeff Miller (R) presented a Proclamation to Palmer and Milton’s mayor presented a key to the city, where Palmer, his wife and two children will call home.

Palmer was extremely touched by the turnout and the message to him was clear.

“Thanks for fighting for our rights to have a free country,” a young boy said as he waved an American flag on the tarmac.

“This means the world to me especially people I don’t even know, total strangers, coming up and saying they appreciate what you did,” Palmer said in a soft spoken voice. “That’s all I need. You’d be surprised how much that does for someone like myself.”

Palmer will need all the support he can get as he moves forward.

The Global War on Terrorism Veterans in Need Committee has been working with Palmer during his rehabilitation at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and will continue to help the family as they settle back into civilian life.

“He’s going to have frustrations with the VA…medical and separating from the Marine Corp, and that’s what we’re here to help him with. Reduce that stress…reduce that frustration,” noted committee member, Col. Dave Barraclough USMC Retired.

Before leaving in an impressive motorcade to his new Milton home, Palmer made it clear that he’s ready for anything life throws his way.

“There’s not a challenge that I’m going to encounter that I can’t overcome and you know what?” He shrugged his shoulders, “Bring it on!”

Besides losing part of his right leg below the knee, Corporal Palmer also suffers from Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.