A local Marine sergeant who lost his legs in Afghanistan in August will return home Saturday for the first time since the incident.
American Legion Post 112 members are hosting Sgt. Joey Jones, a Dawnville-Ga. native from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a public "meet and greet."
Jones' mother Joyce Jones confirmed the event will take place at the 1118 N. Glenwood Ave. post on Saturday afternoon.
The sergeant was serving on a combat tour and working to detect and disarm improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan in early August. During an operation in the Safar Bazaar, Jones stepped on a landmine, which destroyed his legs, injured his arms and killed a fellow Marine.
He has been recuperating in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center since September.
The trip home is for a short leave period, he will return to the center for further rehabilitation after the holidays, Joyce Jones said.