Hingham Soldier Gets Hero's Homecoming

HINGHAM (CBS) -- Carol and William Leonard could barely wait to welcome their son, Army Specialist Curtis Leonard, home Monday night.

But it wouldn't just be his parents welcoming the 25-year-old Iraq veteran home--The Hingham Police Department had asked the town's residents to line the Leonards' route home from Logan Airport, waving flags and holding posters welcoming him back.

Curtis's father said the support of the police, fire department, and the rest of the community was humbling.

"It's almost overwhelming at times, to know that there are folks that have your back," said William Leonard. "The veteran services in the town are tremendous."

Curtis served in Iraq for eleven months. It was the 25-year-old's first tour overseas.

He spoke with his parents once every three months, when he would call.

"I cried after he hung up, and stayed strong for him, and tried to distract him from things that were going on in Baghdad," said Carol. "We are proud of Curtis and all of his accomplishments."

In January, the same town lost Cpl. Christopher Orlando, who was a flight crew chief on board one of the United States Marine Corps helicopters that crashed off the shore of Hawaii on January 14.

"Not everyone gets to come home, so we feel very special and very privileged," said William Leonard. "It'll be great to have him home. He's a real presence around the house."

It won't be the last homecoming for the Leonards--Curtis's younger brother, who was serving in Kuwait at the same time Curtis was in Iraq, is also scheduled to come home later this year.