Two Wounded Mass. Soldiers Return Home

HANSCOM (CBS) -- It's a homecoming they never expected.

Sgt. Matthew Kowalski of Beverly and Steven Colon of Watertown returned to Massachusetts Saturday for the first time since an IED hit their convoy in Afghanistan.

The National Guard members have been recovering at Fort Bragg in North Carolina since their Thanksgiving injuries.

Both men have back and pelvic injuries and are using wheelchairs and crutches to get around. They are expected to make a full recovery.

The two were deployed in October and were supposed to end their tour this summer.

A long line of Beverly Firefighters and National Guardsmen waited at Hanscom AFB Saturday afternoon to greet their colleague and friend Matthew Kowalski.

"It's nice to be home," said Kowalski. "It's too bad other people can't be home and back with their families, but it's good to be back."

"I just want to be with my family and just recover with my family," said Colon, who said he's also looking forward to "some real food."

"I'm very proud of him. It could've gone wrong so fast," said Colon's mother, Maritza Rios. "But I'm glad he's here. He's holding up."

Thanks to Angel Flight Northeast, a non-profit organization, the two soldiers flew back to the Bay State for free to enjoy a one month leave at home.

Angel Flight provides free flights to people in need of medical attention through the help of volunteer pilots and donations.