Cedar Falls native and U.S. sailor Taylor Morris returned home Thursday afternoon for a short weekend visit and was treated to a hero’s welcome. Morris lost parts of his legs and arms in an I-E-D explosion in May while serving in Afghanistan.
His plane landed around 2:00 P.M. at the Waterloo Regional Airport and he and his girlfriend, Danielle Kelly, were treated to cheers and applause from friends and wellwishers outside the airport. Ben Hagarty, one of Morris’ close friends, says Morris has been pretty modest with all the attention he’s been receiving.
“He likes to keep things low key, he’s just coming back for a quick weekend just for the wedding for our friend,” Hagarty says.
Hundreds of people turned out with flags, signs and posters along an unofficial parade route that led from the airport then into downtown Cedar Falls.
Morris will be heading back to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland next week to continue his rehabilitation.
By Scott Fenzloff, KCNZ, Cedar Falls