Marine Corps News Room

http://www.wivb.com/Global/story.asp?S=4047846

(Western New York, October 30, 2005) - - A Western New York Marine injured in the line of duty in Iraq received a hero's welcome Saturday in his hometown. News 4's Alysha Palumbo Reports.

It seemed all of Alden rolled out the red carpet for Lance Corporal Mark Beyers. Because of the Police escort through town, you might have thought the president was coming to Alden, but instead hundreds of people lined the streets for a surprise homecoming for a hometown hero.

Lc. Cpl. Mark Beyers: "It was overwhelming, I didn't expect that, I was coming over to play Texas Hold Em with 8 or 10 people, not the whole town of Alden."

Marks Dad David Beyers: "It was the best day since he left, that's for sure. He's been gone about 10 months now and i'm just happy to have him back here."

Two months ago, Beyers lost his right arm and part of his right leg when he stepped on an explosive device while on patrol in Iraq. Mark Beyers: 'It was bad in the hospital, just being in the hospital setting. Once you get out you start feeling a lot better. That's half the cure right there, just getting out of the hospital."

He says what got him through, was the support of his family and his fiance. Mark Beyers: "My fiance, she never left my side. She slept in a bed right next to my bed in the hospital for two months."

Mark's Fiance Denise Lauck: "I had no other priorities whatsoever. I did not care about anything else but him."

With a little more physical therapy, Beyers will have his prosthetic arm and leg. Mark: "I don't like this wheel chair very much, putting a marine in a wheel chair isn't too much fun."

Mark and Denise have been engaged since January, but dating since high school. Denise says they haven't set a date yet for their wedding. Denise: "He wants to be able to walk down the aisle, so whatever he wants!"