(CAMERON, Mo.) A hometown hero recently returned to Cameron.
Sunday, the community gathered around Dalton Clemons to share its love and support for the wounded veteran.
He and his family were overwhelmed by the support.
"It was an opportunity for us as a community to just tell him 'Thank you,' and how much we care about him and the sacrifice he's made for us," Allen Reed, Commander of the VFW Post 7158 in Cameron said.
Dalton was deployed to Afghanistan in April.
It wasn't long after, that he stepped on an IED, and lost parts of his legs.
After months of rehabilitation, he came home to visit and found a lot of support.
"It's the Meritorious Service Award given as an expression of great appreciation and full praise to Private First Class Dalton Clemons," Reed said to the crowd.
Dalton was appreciative, and a bit overwhelmed, especially with the attention.
"It was nice. It was nice to see everybody and meet everybody, to be recognized and the center of attention is not really my thing," Clemons said.
Dalton hadn't met most of his visitors before, including members of the Patriot Guard.
"It's the least we can do to show up and give them our respect, and give them the welcome that they deserve," Robert Sever of the Patriot Guard said.
Since his injury, Dalton's family has visited him constantly during his recovery in a Texas hospital.
They say Dalton has been the strongest.
"Well I thought we'd be helping, but Dalton has pretty much got that under control. The recovery is for all of us really," said his mother, Penny Kincaid.
Dalton has learned to walk again using straight legs and a cane.
He has more therapy to come, but he's staying vigilant.
"You get frustrated, but there's no reason not to have a positive outlook on it. You can sit and be upset about it, but it doesn't change anything," Clemons said.
Although he appreciated the support, Dalton said it wasn't him that the community should be worrying about, but rather, those still fighting for our country.
"There's nothing to worry about with me. They're still over there, and they're still in a fight. They're not in a place you can say 'Don't worry.''
Still, many stopped by the Cameron Community Center to say thanks to their hero.
Clemons will return to Texas on Thursday to continue therapy.
He's looking forward to learning to use robotic knees.
With a baby on the way, he's also looking forward to just getting back home to Cameron.
Sunday, the community gathered around Dalton Clemons to share its love and support for the wounded veteran.
He and his family were overwhelmed by the support.
"It was an opportunity for us as a community to just tell him 'Thank you,' and how much we care about him and the sacrifice he's made for us," Allen Reed, Commander of the VFW Post 7158 in Cameron said.
Dalton was deployed to Afghanistan in April.
It wasn't long after, that he stepped on an IED, and lost parts of his legs.
After months of rehabilitation, he came home to visit and found a lot of support.
"It's the Meritorious Service Award given as an expression of great appreciation and full praise to Private First Class Dalton Clemons," Reed said to the crowd.
Dalton was appreciative, and a bit overwhelmed, especially with the attention.
"It was nice. It was nice to see everybody and meet everybody, to be recognized and the center of attention is not really my thing," Clemons said.
Dalton hadn't met most of his visitors before, including members of the Patriot Guard.
"It's the least we can do to show up and give them our respect, and give them the welcome that they deserve," Robert Sever of the Patriot Guard said.
Since his injury, Dalton's family has visited him constantly during his recovery in a Texas hospital.
They say Dalton has been the strongest.
"Well I thought we'd be helping, but Dalton has pretty much got that under control. The recovery is for all of us really," said his mother, Penny Kincaid.
Dalton has learned to walk again using straight legs and a cane.
He has more therapy to come, but he's staying vigilant.
"You get frustrated, but there's no reason not to have a positive outlook on it. You can sit and be upset about it, but it doesn't change anything," Clemons said.
Although he appreciated the support, Dalton said it wasn't him that the community should be worrying about, but rather, those still fighting for our country.
"There's nothing to worry about with me. They're still over there, and they're still in a fight. They're not in a place you can say 'Don't worry.''
Still, many stopped by the Cameron Community Center to say thanks to their hero.
Clemons will return to Texas on Thursday to continue therapy.
He's looking forward to learning to use robotic knees.
With a baby on the way, he's also looking forward to just getting back home to Cameron.
