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Crowd gathers to welcome injured Marine home

Projected route of the Marine homecoming processional from Bethesda, MD to Mooresville.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Hundreds of people filled the streets of downtown Mooresville on Friday to welcome home a Marine who was wounded in Afghanistan.

Corporal Garrett Carnes, 22, lost both of his legs in an explosion in February.

The Patriot Guard escorted Carnes and his family from Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Md., to downtown Mooresville. The 400-mile trip started on Interstate 495, and then traveled to I-66 and down I-81.

Once in North Carolina, the escort traveled south on I-77. They got off the interstate at Exit 36 and then followed Highway 150 east to Highway 3.

From there, the group continued into Mooresville.

People around town prepared for Carnes’ homecoming.

The town is displaying a large American flag, under which Carnes and his family will travel.   Officials also plan to give Carnes the key to the city.

A public ceremony began at 6 p.m. in front of the Charles Mack Citizen Center.

The homecoming is getting a lot of praise from WSOC-TV's Facebook friends.

Diane Church Lewis writes, "God Bless Corporal Garrett Carnes for his bravery in serving our country. The Town of Mooresville is doing an honorable thing by honoring this hero. My prayers go out to this young man and his family!"

Karen Van Allen wrote, "Thank you for your service. May God Bless you and yours. You are truly a hero. Semper Fi!"

If you would like to comment on this story, head over to our Facebook page where you will find the post.

Also, a Facebook page has been set up for Garrett Carnes recovery. Click here to view it.

http://bcove.me/9c02h7mp

WSOC

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