HYDE PARK, Vt. — Hundreds of people welcomed a Vermont soldier paralyzed in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan last November to his newly prepared home. Pvt. 1st Class Andrew Parker, 21, of Hyde Park, returned home Saturday following seven months of rehabilitation and medical treatment in Boston. Veterans groups, relatives and friends greeted him Saturday to honor the soldier who broke his neck when a roadside bomb blew him out of a vehicle and he landed on his head.
Supporters formed a motorcade —
including a flatbed truck decorated with red, white and blue bunting carrying Parker in his wheelchair — for a 6-mile procession from the Stowe Airport to the Hyde Park Veterans of Foreign Wars post, where a ceremony is planned.
"Overwhelmed. I’m still overwhelmed," said Winnie Barnes, Parker’s mother.
More than 60 volunteers assembled in recent weeks to help renovate Parker’s house to accommodate his wheelchair.
Norwich University gave Parker a full scholarship to study and become a teacher, which is what he want to do next. In another surprise, supporters in the community gave him a $100,000 check.
"They didn’t know Andrew. Most of these people didn’t know Andrew but they just wanted to keep doing for him, which is amazing," Barnes said.
Other veterans said the support is so important for veterans who have made sacrifices for their country.
"Andrew’s sacrifices are far beyond what most of us will ever, ever understand," Marine Staff Sgt. Chris Genetti said. "It’s one thing to serve, but his life is changed forever."
Veterans from the Vietnam War said it warms their heart to see how things have changed since they came home.
"Today was really great. I mean, it was a lot different than what I saw when I came back out of the service in 1966," Lance Cpl. Richard G. Warren said.
"I think this is a great display of support for a young man who has earned our respect," Gov. Jim Douglas said.
"He doesn’t have to worry about anything now," Barnes said. "It’s amazing."
- helpbringAndrewhome.org
ATTENTION READERS
We See The World From All Sides and Want YOU To Be Fully InformedIn fact, intentional disinformation is a disgraceful scourge in media today. So to assuage any possible errant incorrect information posted herein, we strongly encourage you to seek corroboration from other non-VT sources before forming an educated opinion.
About VT - Policies & Disclosures - Comment Policy
