Soldier injured overseas is recovering

MONROEVILLE, Ala. (WALA) - Thousands of people are expressing their prayers and support for hometown heroes this Fourth of July.

Among those American heroes is 24-year old Army Specialist Eric Hunter from Monroeville, Alabama.

Spc. Hunter was patrolling an area in Afghanistan on May 31, 2012, when he stepped on an IED, the day before his one year wedding anniversary.

“During the blast the, only thing that went through my head was, 'Please be alive. Please be alive,'” Hunter told FOX10. “That's all I kept saying over and over. You know, they're not going to tell you worst case scenario. They're not going to come up and say, 'Hey, you're messed up. You're not going to make it.' The whole time in my head I was thinking I was going to die. I didn't really know my injuries at that time.”

He lost his right foot, leading doctors to amputate his right leg. Some of his other injuries include a shattered right wrist and left leg, as well as a broken forearm.

The soldier was flown to three different hospitals in five days before coming back to the United States.

Spc. Hunter and his wife, Kenna, are now living at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland; right outside of Washington D.C.

Spc. Hunter has two stepchildren, Kensley and Jayce, who are currently staying in Alabama with family until he is further along in the recovery process.

This was Spc. Hunter’s second tour overseas. The first was in Iraq in late 2010-2011.

He says this Fourth of July has new meaning and he cannot wait to return home to Monroeville.

Although Hunter has a long road to recovery ahead, he said he is really thankful to be alive.

“Since I'm stuck in this bed, we're not really able to go out and see fireworks. And I really hate that my family has to sit in the room with me, but you know, just overall I'm really thankful to be here. That's ... The most important thing to me.”

If you would like to send love and support by mail you may do so at:

SPC ERIC HUNTER
WRNMMC/GENERAL DELIVERY
BUILDING 10, RM 450
8901 WISCONSIN AVE
BETHESDA, MD 20889