Virginia Marine Who Lost 3 Limbs in Afghanistan Gets Emotional at Homecoming Rally (Video)
Posted by Jim Hoft on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 7:31 AM
21 year-old Marine Cpl. J.B. Kerns was given a hero’s welcome this weekend in Ararat, Virginia.
J.B. got emotional when he thanked his hometown for the wonderful tribute.
200 motorcyclists gathered to escort J.B. home.
The town raised $50,000 to help pay for J.B.’s medical expenses.
And, hundreds of supporters lined the bridges to welcome J.B. home to Ararat.
WAVY reported:
A Virginia marine who lost both of his legs and right arm in an IED blast in Afghanistan was welcomed home over the weekend.
J.B. Kerns, 21, returned to his hometown of Ararat, which is located in the southwestern part of the state, to a group of bikers who escorted the war hero home.
“Any young man that comes home in that condition, that’s what he needs. He needs to know people still care for him,” said one of the bikers welcoming him home.
“It feels real good to be home. It’s an honor to come from a town like this that gives such great support,” said Kerns. “You all don’t know what it means to me to know that everybody here is here for me.”
The community has raised more than $50,000 to help the family with medical bills.
ADVERTISEMENT
-
Featured Story:
YouTube Pulls Video of Trayvon Martin at Fight Club… But They Can’t Hide It Forever – Here It Is Again
Published May 22, 2012 at 5:04 am - 81 Comments
Latin2 commented:
He is a hero.
karga commented:
It is nice to know we honor the young men and women who fight to protect us. JB kerns is a hero.
Patty commented:
I watched this homecoming yesterday, now, I cannot hold back my tears. I am sure that 50,000 may seem like a lot and OH, IT IS SO WONDERFUL, but wounded warriors and so much more is needed.
This community are also, heroes.
God Bless Our Wonderful Troops, Words just can’t say enough.
maryd commented:
That’s America
Ghost commented:
As Paul Harvey would say, “Wash your ears out with this…” (and eyes)
Fedup commented:
The right thing to do would be to take the money we are giving nations that hate us and pay the medical bills of these brave young men. We thank all our troups and especially JB. What would we do without you?
bigkahuna commented:
What a fantastic stoy. My only question is…if accurate this story says they raised $50,000 for his medical bills. This country should pay all his medical bills for serving and defending his country.
If they didnt we should take it away from the solar companies getting grants, the welfare mom who keeps pooping out kids and the illegal aliens getting free everything.
I hope the article is wrong and its just issues at home they are dealing with . This man and all veterans deserve our thanks and our support. The leeches on society sure dont.
lemonaide commented:
Bravo.
old one commented:
Medical bills??? Where is the DoD? The VA? This guy shouldn’t have ANY unpaid medical bills. Maybe other bills, car payments, etc. Prostetic devices are provided by the VA.
I wish the young man the best, he gave his best to his country.
listingstarboard commented:
Words cannot express how courageous and brave this young man is, or how thankful our nation should be for soldiers like him.
lizzy84 commented:
Salute.
Welcome home, Cpl. Kerns.
Marcie commented:
To: Marine Cpl. J.B. Kerns,
What a fine youg man. Hope he makes the adjustments required in his new life and realizes there’s still a lot he can do. He can be an inspiration to everyone. He’s served his country and paid a big price already. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
tj commented:
I agree w/ bigkahuna… The military should be paying all of his medical bills for the rest of his life…
Take it from the sources he mentioned AND CONGRESS… where you can “work” for two years and get paid for life. enough of that nonsense!
exceller commented:
okay that one brought a tear to my eye. what a juxtapostion to go from a post on that fatass antiAmerican walrus Michael Moore, to the next post with a true hero exemplifying the best of America.
Taqiyyotomist commented:
Respectfully disagreeing with tj and bigkahuna:
I think CAIR should be paying his medical bills.
Taqiyyotomist commented:
#14 exceller
When you said, “fatass antiAmerican walrus”, you could have stopped there.
I knew who you were talking about, immediately. So did everyone else.
Great descriptor.
Granny commented:
What a wonderful, heartwarming story – until you get to the bit about the family having medical bills. Those are supposed to be 100% covered by VA! Why does this young man have to pay for so much as a bandaid?!
USMCdaughter1 commented:
#9 – You would be amazed at what the VA does NOT COVER for these heroes. Believe me, it’s plenty. In addition to that, while recouperating and going through rehab, there are expenses incurred by the family to stay nearby and support their hero. Keep in mind these severe injuries required multiple surgeries over years not days or weeks until the best results can be achieved.
It’s up to us in our communities to step up and take care of those who have sacrificed so much for us. That holds true for all those who serve and protect us. Seems to me that he’s with a community that loves him and will stand tall for him.
Viv commented:
Obama cronies get billions in grants and he won’t look after the wounded veterans he sent into war.
Angel Rudolph commented:
Thank you so much CPL.Kerns. Thank God for you and all the other soldiers fighting for this country. I am an Army Wife so I know what it means to have all the support you can get.
Vicky Hernandez commented:
$50K? Isn’t that the cost to taxpayers everytime ex-House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, made her cross-country jaunts on military aircraft? CNN’s Jack Cafferty was right: “…She’s a horrible woman.”
May G-d richly bless Cpl. JB Kerns and everyone who participated on his homecoming and fundraising.
P. Aaron commented:
A terrific story.
nana commented:
Cpl. J.B. Kerns, thank you sir…
TiminPhx commented:
Semper Fi Mac. You are what makes me proud every day to have served in the Marines.
And I agree with the posters who talk about the billions we waste and payout to countries that hate us and political cronies, while these warriors get the short end of the stick.
bg commented:
++
Godspeed, God Bless & Thank You Marine Cpl. J.B. Kerns
It Has Always Been The Soldier
It is the soldier,
not the President who gives US Democracy.
It is the soldier,
not the Congress who takes Care of US.
It is the soldier,
not the Reporter who has given us Freedom of Press.
It is the soldier,
not the Poet who has given us Freedom of Speech.
It is the soldier,
not the campus [community] Organizer who
has given us the Freedom to Demonstrate.
It is the soldier,
who salutes the flag;
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
that allows the protester to burn the flag.
~ Father Dennis O’Brien, US Marine Corp. Chaplain
God Bless America!
God Bless Soldiers everywhere for putting THEIR
lives on the line to protect us ALL from terrorism!
==
Craig commented:
It is so sad, that this young man has lost his two legs and one arm, for absolutly nothing. You’ve been in Afghanistan for 10 years and what have you accomplish? NOTHING, you just made more ennemies. If you really love your troops, bring them back home.
Harris Poll: Ron Paul Would Beat Obama 51-49 http://www.infowars.com/harris-poll-ron-paul-would-beat-obama-51-49/
“Top political analysts are now seeing a Romney-Paul head to head. Many of the independents who support Rick Perry are likely to switch to Paul should Perry’s campaign continue to implode. Paul would have a very good chance of taking on Romney because he would expose the former Massachusetts Governor’s big government history for all to see.”
bg commented:
++
Craig #28 September 27, 2011 at 1:30 pm
==
owl commented:
Thank you bikers! Never will forget the first time I saw a huge group come into my community, many years ago. They came to honor a friend. Chills. Many rode in as a group for several years after.
God bless that 21 yr old warrior. His fight has just begun. I cried.
Joe Chamberlain commented:
Welcome Home Brother
VOVMC (Veterans Of Vietnam MC)
Joanne commented:
Breaks your heart.
Molon Labe commented:
It should be remembered he has a lifetime ahead of him. I hope his community remembers that.