Memorial Day Spotlight: Local Acworth Marine
Todd doesn't let anything stop him, even the loss of both of his legs in Afghanistan.
[Ed. Note: This story originally ran in April of 2011.]
Record Crowds Welcome Home Injured Acworth
Todd Love at the April 2011 homecoming celebration
Marine
The Acworth and Kennesaw communities welcomed home a true hero on Saturday, April 9th, 2011. Acworth native Corporal Todd Love is a Recon Marine who suffered injuries sustained from an IED explosion while on duty in Afghanistan in October 2010. The arrival marked his first homecoming since his return from the war.
CPL Love flew into McCollum Airport at a little before 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 and was escorted from the airport to Dallas Landing Park in Acworth by a processional by the Patriot Guard, American Legion Freedom Riders, and the Acworth Police Department along with other local police jurisdictions.
The route took him through downtown Kennesaw and then through downtown Acworth on Main Street. The public lined the streets, decorated storefronts, and then attended the homecoming event at Dallas Landing Park. His father, Gary Love, said, “All of the people showing up and lining the streets with flags and signs were amazing. It was a huge outpouring of support. For example, there were at least 50 or 60 cars, and over 300 motorcycle riders from ten different organizations who came out to support us. But probably what touched me the most was at the baseball field. All of the baseball players lined up from home plate to all of the way around the bases, with hats in their hands, to honor Todd as he passed by.”
An Acworth native, CPL Love attended both Wheeler High School and North Cobb High School. As a Recon Marine, he lost both legs and one arm from injuries sustained from an IED explosion while on duty in Afghanistan in October 2010.
CPL Love’s original company, 1st Recon Battalion, B Co., out of Camp Pendleton, California has been fighting for our country in Afghanistan since May 2010. CPL Love was point man on a foot patrol on the morning of October 25th, 2010 when he triggered an improvised explosive device (“IED”), causing him to lose both his legs and ultimately his left arm.
On October 29th, he was stable enough to be transported back to the states where he was taken to Bethesda, Maryland. He spent nearly four weeks at the National Naval Medical Center recovering from many surgeries and attempting to regain his strength. On November 18, 2010 he became mobile for the first time since his injury as he finally gained enough strength to maneuver himself in and out of his new wheelchair.
His journey towards recovery continued on November 27, 2010 when he was discharged from the NNMC and transported to The Walter Reed Army Medical Center. There, he began his process of adapting to his new life as a triple amputee. Rehabilitation was his focus as he learned to rely upon himself. He even went skiing in late winter.
At the homecoming ceremony in Acworth, CPL Love took the microphone and even joked about having a blast in Afghanistan. His father said, “Todd has a great sense of humor, and that makes it easier on our family. He will often say, ‘Look, I have no legs, but look at what I can do.’ So I don’t really see him as without legs. He’s the same son I’ve always loved. There may be less of him now, but the parts that were important are not gone: his heart, his mind, and his faith in God.”
According to his dad, Todd is enjoying 30 days of combat leave at home, but remains on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps as part of the Wounded Warrior Regiment at The Walter Reed Naval Hospital. The route took him through downtown Kennesaw and then through downtown Acworth on Main Street. The public lined the streets, decorated storefronts, and then attended the homecoming event at Dallas Landing Park. His father, Gary Love, said, “All of the people showing up and lining the streets with flags and signs were amazing. It was a huge outpouring of support. For example, there were at least 50 or 60 cars, and over 300 motorcycle riders from ten different organizations who came out to support us. But probably what touched me the most was at the baseball field. All of the baseball players lined up from home plate to all of the way around the bases, with hats in their hands, to honor Todd as he passed by.”
An Acworth native, CPL Love attended both Wheeler High School and North Cobb High School. As a Recon Marine, he lost both legs and one arm from injuries sustained from an IED explosion while on duty in Afghanistan in October 2010.
CPL Love’s original company, 1st Recon Battalion, B Co., out of Camp Pendleton, California has been fighting for our country in Afghanistan since May 2010. CPL Love was point man on a foot patrol on the morning of October 25th, 2010 when he triggered an improvised explosive device (“IED”), causing him to lose both his legs and ultimately his left arm.
On October 29th, he was stable enough to be transported back to the states where he was taken to Bethesda, Maryland. He spent nearly four weeks at the National Naval Medical Center recovering from many surgeries and attempting to regain his strength. On November 18, 2010 he became mobile for the first time since his injury as he finally gained enough strength to maneuver himself in and out of his new wheelchair.
His journey towards recovery continued on November 27, 2010 when he was discharged from the NNMC and transported to The Walter Reed Army Medical Center. There, he began his process of adapting to his new life as a triple amputee. Rehabilitation was his focus as he learned to rely upon himself. He even went skiing in late winter.
At the homecoming ceremony in Acworth, CPL Love took the microphone and even joked about having a blast in Afghanistan. His father said, “Todd has a great sense of humor, and that makes it easier on our family. He will often say, ‘Look, I have no legs, but look at what I can do.’ So I don’t really see him as without legs. He’s the same son I’ve always loved. There may be less of him now, but the parts that were important are not gone: his heart, his mind, and his faith in God.”
According to his dad, Todd is enjoying 30 days of combat leave at home, but remains on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps as part of the Wounded Warrior Regiment at The Walter Reed Naval Hospital.
If you would like to make a contribution towards Todd’s out-of-pocket expenses, please visit any BB&T location or make a donation over the phone by calling Amber at BB&T 706-884-1992.
