Pages

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Thousands welcome twice-injured Marine back home

Thousands welcome twice-injured Marine back home
Injured Marine Sgt. Ben Tomlinson is greeted by members of an honor guard following a welcome home celebration Wednesday in his hometown of Jacksonville. His father, Chuck Tomlinson, is pushing the wheelchair. / DAVE MARTIN/AP
Written by
Jay Reeves
The Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE -- A Marine twice injured in Afghanistan received a hero's welcome Wednesday from thousands of well-wishers waving flags and cheering in his Alabama hometown.

Sgt. Ben Tomlinson grinned widely from the family's minivan as a motorcade led by a long line of police cars roared into the city square in Jacksonville for a brief ceremony that included the mayor's declaration of "Ben Tomlinson Day." The one-time all-county football player and track athlete was shot in the chest on patrol about eight months ago during his second deployment to the country.

Two fire trucks held aloft a big flag between ladders, and motorcycle riders stood at attention with more flags. Elementary school students lined the streets.
read more here

No comments:

Post a Comment

If it is not helpful, do not be hurtful. Spam removed so do not try putting up free ad.