JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (AP) -- The city of Jacksonville is planning a
homecoming for a Marine who was twice injured while serving in
Afghanistan.

Marine Sgt. Ben Tomlinson is due to arrive in the northeast
Alabama town on Wednesday, about eight months after he was shot and seriously wounded while leading a Marine reconnaissance team.
Before that, Tomlinson was injured by shrapnel while serving in
Afghanistan. He has two Purple Heart medals in addition to other
military honors.

Officials are planning a "welcome home" program for Tomlinson
at the Jacksonville city square, and police will later escort him
to his family's home

The one-time all-county football player and track athlete is now
uses a wheelchair because of his injuries, but he's planning to
return to college once he is formally discharged from the Marine
Corps.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)