Dozens gather for Marine's homecoming
DENVER - It's been one month since Staff Sergeant Jesse Cottle was seriously injured in Afghanistan. In that time he has had six surgeries and lost both of his legs.
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posted by: Sara Gandy
September 8. 2009
Cottle was on his fourth tour of duty when he was injured in Afghanistan. The Marine had three previous tours in Iraq; this was his first in Afghanistan. Cottle was working to detonate roadside bombs when he was hit.
"When we initially got the report of his injuries they said they were bilateral amputations which means below the knees," Cottle's aunt, Teri Landreth said. "By the time they got him out of Afghanistan and into Germany they had to take one of his legs higher because they couldn't save one knee.
"And then by the time they got him to Bethesda they had to take the other one," she explained.
Cottle has most recently been recovering in Bethesda, Maryland where he will have to learn to walk again.
The Fort Collins resident was eager to take leave however, to be in Colorado for his aunt's upcoming wedding.
"Oh gosh, I'm finally getting married. So that's what he told his commanders. 'Well, if there's any way I could go home to see my aunt finally get married I would love to be able to do that,'" Landreth said.
On Tuesday morning, Cottle arrived at Denver International Airport in time for the wedding festivities.
The Marine was greeted with smiles, salutes, applause and even a bugle. More than 100 family, friends, veterans and strangers gathered at the airport to give Cottle a hero's welcome.
"I was warned of a little something but I was a little . . . especially right out of the elevator, 'Bam.' It was pretty surprising to say the least but it's very touching at the same time," Cottle said.
Cottle's northern Colorado community has been planning for his return with the help of dozens of community members and organizations including Loveland's country music station that helped spread the word of Cottle's homecoming.
Cottle will stay in Colorado through the weekend before heading off to San Diego to be fitted for his prosthetic legs.
First on Cottle's to do list when he gets home, "Crack open a cold beer."