Hero's homecoming celebrated in Glencoe

Hero's homecoming celebrated in Glencoe

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By WBRC Staff - email
Wetzel is expected to receive a key to the city and will be honored with a special VFW presentation. Wetzel is expected to receive a key to the city and will be honored with a special VFW presentation.
"It's a very emotional day. I'm so happy to be home, not in a box," said Wetzel. "I came walking in. I wasn't going to come home in my wheelchair. I couldn't let everyone see me riding around." "It's a very emotional day. I'm so happy to be home, not in a box," said Wetzel. "I came walking in. I wasn't going to come home in my wheelchair. I couldn't let everyone see me riding around."
After passing security, Wetzel was greeted by a former Alabama football player who presented him with a football signed by former Auburn head coach Pat Dye. Wetzel is said to be a big Auburn fan. Upon receiving the gift, the airport erupted into cheers. After passing security, Wetzel was greeted by a former Alabama football player who presented him with a football signed by former Auburn head coach Pat Dye. Wetzel is said to be a big Auburn fan. Upon receiving the gift, the airport erupted into cheers.
GLENCOE, AL (WBRC) -

Happening today in east Alabama, a homecoming will be held for a hero.

Army Specialist Josh Wetzel lost his legs in Afghanistan earlier this year after stepping on a roadside bomb. Thousands of people have used social media to follow his recovery at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland.

Wetzel was first seen on Friday walking down the terminal at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport. After passing security, Wetzel was greeted by a former Alabama football player who presented him with a football signed by former Auburn head coach Pat Dye. Wetzel is said to be a big Auburn fan. Upon receiving the gift, the airport erupted into cheers.

The emotion at the homecoming was not lost on the wounded hero.

"It's a very emotional day. I'm so happy to be home, not in a box," said Wetzel. "I came walking in. I wasn't going to come home in my wheelchair. I couldn't let everyone see me riding around."

Specialist Wetzel will be back in his hometown of Glencoe today for a weeklong visit. He is expected to receive a key to the city and will be honored with a special VFW presentation. Next Saturday, he plans to attend the Auburn vs Texas A&M game before leaving the next day to go back to Walter Reed.

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