More than 100 turn out to welcome home local wounded veteran

U.S. Army Spc. Andrew Smith and wife Tori Smith, from left, are greeted by Andrew's family on the runway as they return home after spending the past six-months at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center learning how to walk on Smith's new prosthetic legs. About 150 people gathered at the Wilson Air Center early today to welcome the veteran home.

Photo by Dan Henry.

A crowd larger than 100 well-wishers cheered and waved small American flags as U.S. Army Spc. Andrew Smith and his wife Tori arrived this morning at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.

Smith, who lost parts of both legs in a March bomb blast while on combat patrol in Afghanistan, is home for 10 days leave and will speak at Covenant Presbyterian Church and his former high school, Chattanooga Christian School.

The soldier and his wife have been recovering at Walter Reed National Medical Center in the Washington D.C., area since he returned to the United States shortly after his injuries.

For more see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.