TRINITY, N.C. — A soldier from Archdale who was shot 12 times in Afghanistan last year received a hero’s welcome home on Saturday.
Dozens of people lined the streets and Creekside Park for Army Private First Class Jeremy Young, just to thank him for his service.
Young was presented with a plaque from the Mayor of Trinity and a American flag from the boy scouts.
Young has been home since Thursday and has been a busy guy, catching up with family and friends. Even people he did not know said they were praying for and supporting him.
The 23-year-old solider and graduate from Trinity High School said he never expected to be welcomed home like this. It was a chance to see everyone who has been waiting nearly a year to see him.
Young is a soldier in the Army infantry, 3rd brigade, 1st armored division. He was shot 12 times during his deployment last July in Afghanistan.
Young’s experience brought people from far away together.
Deborah Smith said she did not known Young that well, but she felt she needed to do something to honor him.
“It was almost like a kindred friendship instantaneously when I finally got to physically meet him,” she said.
Young said he knows it is going to be a long road, but through faith and prayer he said he believes he will make it through.
“It really means a lot to me,” he said. “And I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Young said he will be going to Fort Bragg next month and will likely have to have another surgery.
He said he will be medically discharged from the Army after that, but plans to do volunteer work or possibly go back to school.
