Claiborne County residents came together Saturday afternoon in Cumberland Gap to honor Marine Lance Corporal Cody Evans.
Evans lost both of his legs to a bomb blast in Afghanistan last December. Since April, he has been making visits to his native town of Speedwell from Washington D.C. where he is rehabbing.
Saturday, during Claiborne County's White Lightning festival in Cumberland Gap, Evans made another public appearance to more than one hundred residents. He said it was nice to see so many people come out and support him.
Before Saturday's event, the Patriot Guard Riders escorted the veteran from Harrogate to Cumberland Gap in a motorcade.
"The effort that everybody puts out is incredible," Cody Evans said.
His mother, Regina, said she was also taken aback by the public's support of her son. Volunteers from across East Tennessee renovated their home while he spent time in Washington D.C.
"Words can't describe how proud I am," Regina Evans said.
Cody Evans said he still has to continue his rehab in Washington D.C. before he makes his return to East Tennessee. He said when he comes back, he would like to go to school.