Soldier Returns To Hero's Welcome

A southeast Ohio soldier critically wounded in combat came home Monday to a hero's welcome.

Hundreds of people in Marietta, Ohio, made it their mission to thank Private First Class Kyle Hockenberry for putting his life on the line for our country.

American pride couldn't be more evident as people gathered at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport in Williamstown, W. Va. to welcome home PFC Hockenberry.

"Just tears of thankfulness. He could have not been here today, but he is, so he's a miracle," said Kyle's grandmother Barbara Hockenberry.

Kyle Hockenberry, 20, lost both legs and an arm in an explosion in Afghanistan over the summer.

"He could have easily had the other homecoming. He fought and fought and fought," added Barbara Hockenberry with tears in her eyes.

Around 2:00 p.m, the airplane carrying Kyle and his mother Kathy Hockenberry arrived from Texas where the Reno soldier has been undergoing rehabilitation.

Tears and cheers met Kyle as he was helped off the plane.

Eighty-two members of the West Virginia Patriot Guard Riders honored the 2010 Frontier High School graduate with the ultimate hero's welcome saying he returned home alive and in good spirits.

"Twenty-four of us in the lead, then the van. Twenty-four of us behind, plus the cars and trucks we have," said Joe Cumblidge with the WV Patriot Guard Riders.

Hundreds more people lined the streets of downtown Marietta with American flags in hand.

"He's such a hero to everyone and I wanted to bring the kids down to share that with him," said Amy Ketchum of Marietta.

Another woman who did not know Hockenberry or his family told ONN's Alex that she was holding back tears.

Hockenberry has two weeks to spend at home, and then he goes back to Texas for more rehabilitation. The Purple Heart recipient will learn how to walk again, with prosthetic legs. He'll take the love and support of his community with him.

"To have our community all come together and be supportive of this young man is tremendous," said Marilyn Moody.

Kathy Hockenberry has stayed with her son in Texas throughout his rehabilitation which began in November. 

They both wanted to spend time with their family today and waved to the crowd before they made it home to Reno.

Their family is so proud of their hero that Kyle's 4-week old niece was named Kylee after him.

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