A local soldier wounded in Afghanistan is back home in Moorseville.

Friday,Cpl. Garrett Carnes rode into his hometown escorted by hundreds of motorcyclists with the Patriot Guard.

Family members told Eyewitness News they were grateful to see him home and so did hundreds of strangers who poured into the street Friday to thank him.

"They've never met him or anything, but they still feel like he's family," said Angela Every, Carnes' grandmother.

Many military families said they relate to Carnes' story . The marine was on a military operation in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb exploded. He lost parts of both his legs.

Even on a day dedicated to him, this hometown hero drew no attention to himself.

"I want to dedicate this day to my grandfather, John Carnes, who's a Vietnam veteran and he never had a homecoming like this," said Carnes.

Carnes said he will have rehabilitation for another year, but he told the crowd that he looks forward to coming back home to stay in his hometown.